Volume 29, Issue 4 (December 2025)
Physiol Pharmacol 2025, 29(4): 476-483 |
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Rahimian K, Khodagholi F, Asadi E, Alsadat Mousavi M, Asadi S. Exploring expression alterations in Mef2a, Tcf3, and Bdnf genes following maternal separation in the rat brain: implications for neural plasticity. Physiol Pharmacol 2025; 29 (4) :476-483
URL: http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-2410-en.html
URL: http://ppj.phypha.ir/article-1-2410-en.html
Abstract: (1641 Views)
Introduction: Mother-infant interaction is critical for neural development and maturation, with long-term molecular and behavioral impacts on offspring. Rats’ neonatal maternal separation (MS) has been introduced as a model of early life stress, which may be the basis of mental health condition in adulthood. In the present study, the gene expression of Mef2a, Tcf3, and Bdnf was studied in various brain regions of rat offspring that experienced MS to provide further insight into the molecular mechanism of MS.
Methods: In this experimental study, MS was applied in rat litters separated from their mothers for four hours/day from PND 2 to PND 14. Mef2a, Tcf3, and Bdnf gene expression in various brain areas of adult offspring was measured by qPCR, and results were compared with the control group by t-test statistics.
Results: Quantitative analyses indicated that Mef2a has been downregulated in the amygdala of offspring that experienced MS. Tcf3 gene expression was increased in the insula and striatum, while its level was decreased in the PFC of MS offspring. Bdnf was also upregulated in the insula but downregulated in the MS group’s PFC.
Conclusion: Neonatal MS-induced gene expression changes the molecular drivers of neural plasticity in the offspring’s central nervous system, which may be the basis of behavioral changes in adulthood. Further investigation of signaling pathways and behavioral modifications of rats that experienced MS may uncover the underlying mechanism of MS.
Methods: In this experimental study, MS was applied in rat litters separated from their mothers for four hours/day from PND 2 to PND 14. Mef2a, Tcf3, and Bdnf gene expression in various brain areas of adult offspring was measured by qPCR, and results were compared with the control group by t-test statistics.
Results: Quantitative analyses indicated that Mef2a has been downregulated in the amygdala of offspring that experienced MS. Tcf3 gene expression was increased in the insula and striatum, while its level was decreased in the PFC of MS offspring. Bdnf was also upregulated in the insula but downregulated in the MS group’s PFC.
Conclusion: Neonatal MS-induced gene expression changes the molecular drivers of neural plasticity in the offspring’s central nervous system, which may be the basis of behavioral changes in adulthood. Further investigation of signaling pathways and behavioral modifications of rats that experienced MS may uncover the underlying mechanism of MS.
Type of Manuscript: Experimental research article |
Subject:
Neurophysiology/Pharmacology
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