Plasticity of the central nervous system encompasses changes in neurons and glia as well as thevasculature. Vascular disturbances may manifest as cerebral hypoperfusion and have been implicated in avariety of neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders including Alzheimer's disease, depression,alcoholism, and substance abuse. Hypoperfusion impairs nutrient and oxygen delivery to neural tissue and can result in cellular edema, gliosis and perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. In addition, changes in angiogenesis can alter perfusion of neural tissue which may alter synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, a causal interaction may exist between hormone regulated angiogenesis and neurogenesis in the brain. Given the crucial role of neuronal vasculature in the maintenance of neural tissue, an understanding of the effects of chronic stress on brain vasculature may provide insights into the mechanisms that underliestress-evoked changes in neural plasticity.
The aims of the present research are to determine: (
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