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Stress effects in the hippocampus: synaptic plasticity and memory.
Jeansok J Kim1, Eun Young Song, Therese A Kosten
1Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1520, USA. jeansokk@u.washington.edu
Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|June 7, 2006
Summary
Uncontrollable stress impacts brain and memory, particularly hippocampal function. This review explores how stress affects hippocampal plasticity and memory through endocrine mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adult stress exposure significantly affects brain function and behavior.
- Stress impairs performance on hippocampal-dependent memory tasks.
- Stress impedes long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in the hippocampus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review endocrine-system-level mechanisms underlying stress effects on hippocampal plasticity.
- To examine how stress-induced alterations in hippocampal plasticity influence memory.
- To discuss the role of the amygdala in stress-related changes in hippocampal LTP and memory.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing human and animal studies.
- Focus on endocrine system pathways.
- Analysis of research on hippocampal plasticity and memory.
Main Results:
- Stress profoundly affects brain and behavior, particularly hippocampal function.
- Stress interferes with hippocampal-dependent memory formation.
- The amygdala plays a crucial role in stress-induced changes in hippocampal plasticity and memory.
Conclusions:
- Stress-induced modifications in hippocampal plasticity contribute to memory impairments.
- Early life stress impacts hippocampal plasticity and memory similarly to adult stress.
- Understanding endocrine mechanisms is key to addressing stress-related memory deficits.