Précis

Major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence can be particularly detrimental because it predisposes one to subsequent depressive episodes. Despite the life-long implications of adolescent MDD, little is known about the underlying neurobiology of an early life depressive episode. In order to address this gap in biomedical research, an animal model of adolescent depression would be advantageous. This project is designed to develop a rat model of adolescent depression.

Details

Major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence can be particularly detrimental because it predisposes one to subsequent depressive episodes. Despite the life-long implications of adolescent MDD, little is known about the underlying neurobiology of an early life depressive episode. In order to address this gap in biomedical research, an animal model of adolescent depression would be advantageous. This project is designed to develop a rat model of adolescent depression. Given the short life span of the rat in comparison to the human, puberty comprises the extent of rat adolescence. Therefore, rats will be exposed to social defeat, a potent stressor, throughout puberty and anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior will be assessed at the end of puberty and again in adulthood. The second goal of the proposed studies is to begin to address the underlying neurobiological changes that accompany disturbances in affective behavior following pubertal stress. The initial analysis of cerebral plasticity will focus on expression of cerebral angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as neurogenesis and angiogenesis. The data generated by the experiments proposed will begin to elucidate the effects of chronic stress during puberty on affective behavior in the rat as well as the underlying neurobiological alterations that may have life-long behavioral implications. A better understanding of the effects of stress and antidepressant therapy during puberty will ultimately lead to better treatment strategies for adolescents that manifest MDD.