Mismatch between anxiety status and morphometric parameters in the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

J M Pêgo; P Morgado; J J Cerqueira; O F X Almeida; N Sousa

doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2006.06.035

Mismatch between anxiety status and morphometric parameters in the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

Behav Brain Res. 2006 Oct 16;173(2):320-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.06.035. Epub 2006 Aug 10.

Authors

J M Pêgo¹, P Morgado, J J Cerqueira, O F X Almeida, N Sousa

Affiliation

¹ Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. [email protected]

PMID: 16904199
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2006.06.035

Abstract

Aging is associated with behavioral changes, including increased anxiety. In this study we confirmed a hyperanxious status in aged animals, measured in the elevated-plus maze and in the acoustic startle. Subsequently, we searched for age-related changes in the volume and cell numbers in the amygdala or in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, but failed to detect gross structural changes in these two brain areas, both implicated in emotionality.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acoustic Stimulation / methods
Age Factors
Amygdala / pathology*
Animals
Anxiety / pathology*
Anxiety / physiopathology*
Behavior, Animal
Cell Count / methods
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Male
Maze Learning / physiology
Neurons / pathology
Neurons / physiology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Reflex, Startle / physiology
Septal Nuclei / pathology*
Stereotaxic Techniques