NCBS & inStem presents new insights into how brain responds to trauma
National Centre for Biological Sciences
(NCBS) and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
(inStem) have gained insights into how a single instance of severe
stress can lead to delayed and long-term psychological trauma.
The two Bengaluru-based research centres have indicated that a single stressful incident can lead to increased electrical activity in a brain region known as the amygdala. The activity is delayed, occurring 10 days after a single episode of stress, and is dependent on a molecule known as the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R), a protein on nerve cells known to be crucial for memory functions.
The work pinpoints key molecular and physiological processes that could be driving changes in brain architecture. The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped groups of nerve cells located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. This region of the brain is known to play key roles in emotional reactions, memory and making decisions. Changes in the amygdala are linked to the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),.
The NCBS team led by Prof. Sumantra Chattarji, was represented by Farhana Yasmin and Kapil Saxena along with Bruce S. McEwen, head, Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York established that the new nerve connections in the amygdala lead to heightened electrical activity in this region of the brain.
Furthermore, a well-known protein involved in memory and learning, NMDA-R has been recognised as one of the agents that bring about these changes. Blocking the NMDA-R during the stressful period not only stopped the formation of new synapses, but also blocked the increase in electrical activity at these synapses.
Previously, Chattarji’s group had shown that a single instance of acute stress had no immediate effects on the amygdala of rats. But 10 days later, these animals began to show increased anxiety, and delayed changes in the architecture of their brains, especially the amygdala.
“We showed that our study system is applicable to PTSD. This delayed effect after a single episode of stress was reminiscent of what happens in PTSD patients. We know that the amygdala is hyperactive in PTSD patients. But no one knows as of now, what is going on in there,” said Prof. Chattarji.
Investigations revealed major changes in the microscopic structure of the nerve cells in the amygdala. Stress seems to have caused the formation of new nerve connections called synapses in this region of the brain.
Prof. Chattarji’s group first began their investigations on stress affecting the amygdala and other regions of the brain around 10 years ago. The work required the team to employ an array of highly specialised and diverse procedures that range from observing behaviour to recording electrical signals from single brain cells and using an assortment of microscopy techniques.
“Now we have for the first time, a molecular mechanism that shows what is required for the culmination of events 10 days after a single stress,” said Prof. Chattarji.
“Most studies on stress are done on a chronic stress paradigm with repeated stress, or with a single stress episode where changes are looked at immediately afterwards, like a day after the stress,” said Yasmin.
“To do this, we need to use a variety of techniques and collaborations with experts We acknowledge the support of Wadhwani Foundation and DBT-DAE for funding this work,” he added.
The two Bengaluru-based research centres have indicated that a single stressful incident can lead to increased electrical activity in a brain region known as the amygdala. The activity is delayed, occurring 10 days after a single episode of stress, and is dependent on a molecule known as the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDA-R), a protein on nerve cells known to be crucial for memory functions.
The work pinpoints key molecular and physiological processes that could be driving changes in brain architecture. The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped groups of nerve cells located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. This region of the brain is known to play key roles in emotional reactions, memory and making decisions. Changes in the amygdala are linked to the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),.
The NCBS team led by Prof. Sumantra Chattarji, was represented by Farhana Yasmin and Kapil Saxena along with Bruce S. McEwen, head, Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York established that the new nerve connections in the amygdala lead to heightened electrical activity in this region of the brain.
Furthermore, a well-known protein involved in memory and learning, NMDA-R has been recognised as one of the agents that bring about these changes. Blocking the NMDA-R during the stressful period not only stopped the formation of new synapses, but also blocked the increase in electrical activity at these synapses.
Previously, Chattarji’s group had shown that a single instance of acute stress had no immediate effects on the amygdala of rats. But 10 days later, these animals began to show increased anxiety, and delayed changes in the architecture of their brains, especially the amygdala.
“We showed that our study system is applicable to PTSD. This delayed effect after a single episode of stress was reminiscent of what happens in PTSD patients. We know that the amygdala is hyperactive in PTSD patients. But no one knows as of now, what is going on in there,” said Prof. Chattarji.
Investigations revealed major changes in the microscopic structure of the nerve cells in the amygdala. Stress seems to have caused the formation of new nerve connections called synapses in this region of the brain.
Prof. Chattarji’s group first began their investigations on stress affecting the amygdala and other regions of the brain around 10 years ago. The work required the team to employ an array of highly specialised and diverse procedures that range from observing behaviour to recording electrical signals from single brain cells and using an assortment of microscopy techniques.
“Now we have for the first time, a molecular mechanism that shows what is required for the culmination of events 10 days after a single stress,” said Prof. Chattarji.
“Most studies on stress are done on a chronic stress paradigm with repeated stress, or with a single stress episode where changes are looked at immediately afterwards, like a day after the stress,” said Yasmin.
“To do this, we need to use a variety of techniques and collaborations with experts We acknowledge the support of Wadhwani Foundation and DBT-DAE for funding this work,” he added.
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https://kneereplacement-Labels: (PTSD), anygdala, blocking, crucial, electrical actitivty, increased, long-term, memory functions, molecule-N_Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor(NMDA-R), nerve cells, psychological, severe stress, trauma
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