Neurogenesis in the adolescent rat prefrontal cortex
Adolescence is marked by a period of progressive changes in behavior that are likely due to the maturation of the brain. In humans, imaging studies have found changes in gray matter volume of the frontal cortex between adolescence and young adulthood (Giedd & Lenroot, 2006). Our laboratory has found an increase in the number of neurons in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex as well as a decrease in the ventral mPFC during adolescence (Markham, Morris & Juraska, 2007; Markham & Juraska, unpublished results 2007). While the increase in the volume of the prefrontal cortex in the rat brain denotes the birth of new cells, it has not been established whether or not there are new neurons forming in the adolescent cortex. To investigate if there is neurogenesis occurring we used BrdU combined with NeuN labeling. Our preliminary results indicate that there are new cells being born in this region of the brain. The final results will indicate if there is neurogenesis in the medial prefrontal cortex of adolescent rat brain, which will further our understanding of adolescent brain development as well as the behaviors it may alter.
School:
University of Puerto Rico at Humacao
Department:
Chemistry
Research Advisor:
Janice Juraska
Department of Research Advisor:
Psychology
Year of Publication:
2007