Neurological Disorders

Shiho Kitaoka

Publications

• Review Article
  A Role for Microglia in Repeated Stress-Induced Functional Changes in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Rodents
  Author(s): Shiho Kitaoka and Tomoyuki FuruyashikiShiho Kitaoka and Tomoyuki Furuyashiki
  
  In rodents, repeated stress alters the function of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), associated with dendritic atrophy and synaptic loss, leading to emotional and cognitive changes. Roles for monoamines, namely dopamine and noradrenaline, have been implicated in this process. Thus, dopaminergic activity in the mPFC confers stress resilience, and repeated social defeat stress attenuates this dopaminergic activity, leading to social avoidance. In contrast, the activation of adrenergic receptors promotes emotional and cognitive changes induced by repeated stress. Especially, adrenergic signaling in the mPFC during stress exposure is critical for a decline in an mPFC-dependent behavioral performance after repeated stress. Repeated stress activates microglia in multiple brain areas, and recent studies have suggested a link between microglial activation and monoaminergic functions in rep.. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2329-6895.1000123

  Abstract PDF