Effects of Maternal Separation on Cognitive Function and Markers of Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity Using Animal Models

Abstract

Adverse experience during childhood, such as maltreatment or neglect, are considered to be major risk factors for the development of psychopathology and cognitive deficits in adulthood. Maternal separation is a commonly used animal model that mimics the effects of early life stress. There is evidence that cognitive deficits and emotion-relevant behaviors are mediated by changes in neuroendocrine function, via dysregulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, structural changes in the brain, as well as suppression of neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors. This paper aims to provide a review of existing evidence regarding the effects of maternal separation on spatial and non-spatial forms of learning and memory in rodents. In addition, it is being explored whether indices of synaptic and neuronal plasticity (structural changes, neurotrophic factors, neurogenesis) may be related to these effects.