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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates
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Glucocorticoid receptor activation induces decrease of hippocampal astrocyte number in rats.

Yu-Xia Lou1, Jing Li2, Zhen-Zhen Wang2

  • 1Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China.

Psychopharmacology
|August 3, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation, often seen in major depressive disorder, reduces hippocampal astrocyte numbers. Blocking GR with mifepristone reversed these effects in a rat stress model.

Keywords:
AstrocyteCorticosteroneDepressionGFAPGlucocorticoid receptor

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder is linked to reduced astrocyte numbers and overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
  • Elevated glucocorticoids from HPA axis hyperactivity can activate glucocorticoid receptors (GR).
  • The direct impact of GR activation on astrocyte numbers remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct link between GR activation and the reduction of hippocampal astrocyte numbers.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of GR antagonists in stress-induced depression-like behaviors and cellular changes.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) or corticosterone (CORT) administration.
  • Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone was administered to assess its effects.
  • Behavioral tests (sucrose preference, open field, forced swim) and molecular analyses (immunofluorescence, western blot) were performed.

Main Results:

  • CUS induced depression-like behaviors (anhedonia, anxiety, despair) and decreased GFAP expression and astrocyte numbers in the hippocampus.
  • CORT injection mimicked CUS effects, causing depressive behaviors and reduced GFAP.
  • Mifepristone treatment reversed both behavioral and cellular deficits induced by CUS and CORT.

Conclusions:

  • GR activation by elevated glucocorticoids directly causes a decrease in hippocampal astrocyte numbers.
  • GR antagonism presents a potential therapeutic strategy for depression-related astrocyte loss and behavioral symptoms.