Prenatal stress has been linked to the onset of multiple neuropsychiatric diseases, and as such, animal models of prenatal stress have been developed to examine the neurobiology of these disorders. Although prenatal stress and neuropsychiatric diseases in offspring have been found to have a high correlation, the exact mechanisms by which prenatal stress affects the newborns are unclear. Microglia, the immune cells of the brain, have been studied as possible mediators in the development of disease caused by prenatal stress. Studies concerning hyperactive neuroinflammatory responses have been observed in newborns. Thus, theories establishing a relationship between prenatal stress and hyperactive immune responses have been supported. Regulation of microglia by glucocorticoid activity via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an appropriate target of investigation. Considering the relationships between prenatal stress, glucocorticoids, and inflammation, this study aims to examine the changes in microglial glucocorticoid receptors of prenatally stressed mouse offspring. Moreover, because the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disease differs between males and females, sexually-dimorphic changes in these receptors will be compared. Additionally, these changes will be specifically investigated in the prefrontal cortex; a structure highly involved in the regulation of abnormal behavior. Utilizing a chronic stress paradigm during embryonic days 12-16, we will examine inflammatory biomarkers and GR expression in offspring at three different time points: E18, post-natal day 30 (P30) and P60. Stress-related behavior on the elevated plus maze will also be examined at P30 and P60 to determine if alterations in stress regulation change over time. We hypothesize that offspring of stressed dams will have decreased expression of GR and more stress-related behaviors.

Examining sexually dimorphic alterations in microglial glucocorticoid receptor following prenatal stress

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.