The Impact of Stress During Puberty on the Developing Hypothalamus

John M. Mendoza*, Karissa N. Gautier*, Gretchen C. Pifer, Rachael B. Gandee, Samantha L. Higley, Brianna M. Karem, Casey A. King, and Kathleen E. Morrison
Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation No.: 96

Assigned Category (Presentation Format): Neuroscience (Poster Presentations)

Student’s Major: Neuroscience

Excessive adversity during puberty can lead to negative outcomes within the brain. We have shown that stress during puberty leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response. Using a mouse model, we have shown alterations in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), which initiates the HPA axis stress response. Pubertal stress resulted in an increase in six immediate early genes (IEGs) in the PVN of stressed, pregnant mice in comparison to non-stressed pregnant mice. While these changes have been measured in adulthood, the timeframe for these changes is unknown. We examined the developmental trajectory of IEG expression in the PVN immediately after pubertal stress. Mice were exposed to chronic variable stress, or not, from PN21-34. At PN35, brains were collected from non-stimulated animals. The PVN was collected by micropunch, RNA was isolated, and qPCR was performed to quantify IEGs. Understanding the altered trajectory will uncover whether pubertal stress leaves an immediate mark on the brain. This mouse model provides opportunities to understand the molecular underpinnings of the risks for stress dysregulation.

Funding: NICHD Grant HD091376

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Other