Does Chronic Unpredictable Stress during Adolescence Affect Spatial Cognition in Adulthood?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141908
• Publication Date: 2015-11-18T18:44:31Z
• Authors: Lauren E. Chaby; Michael J. Sheriff; Amy M. Hirrlinger; James Lim; Thomas B. Fetherston; Victoria A. Brait...
• Keywords: Affect; Stressor; Water maze; Spatial Ability; Spatial Cognition

Spatial abilities allow animals to retain and cognitively manipulate information about their spatial environment are dependent upon neural structures that mature during adolescence. Exposure stress in adolescence is thought disrupt maturation, possibly compromising cognitive processes later life. We examined whether exposure chronic unpredictable affects ability late adulthood. evaluated learning, reference working memory, as well long-term retention of visuospatial cues using a radial arm water maze. found decreased the rate improvement learning However, we no overall performance impairments adult or caused by adolescent-stress. Together, these findings suggest adolescent-stress may alter strategy used solve challenges, resulting more consistent but not refined incorporating available information. Interestingly, also adolescent-stressed rats showed shorter latency begin maze task when re-exposed after an overnight delay compared with control rats. This suggests adolescent reoccurring stressors prepare for subsequent challenges. Overall, our results show does affect all processes, cognition context-dependent manner.