Evaluation of Hippocampal Allostatic Load-Associated Factors in Animal Models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Relevance to Human PTSD
March 2, 2022 Dennis Kelley 1 citation
Post-traumatic stress disorder is linked to higher allostatic load, nearly double the risk for metabolic syndrome, reduced hippocampal volume, and memory deficits. Using two rat models of PTSD, researchers found that predator odor stress caused conditioned place avoidance linked to reduced mitochondrial spare capacity and ROS production in the hippocampus. A separate chronic stress model increased cholesterol, triglycerides, and ROS production in the hippocampus. An experimental 5-HT2A agonist reduced ROS in the cortex and hippocampus and normalized gene expression overlapping with human PTSD. These findings support models connecting metabolic and allostatic features of PTSD to functional changes in the hippocampus.