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Individual Differences in the Activity of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenocortical System After Stressors: Use of Psychogenetically Selected Rat Lines as a Model

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Genetically Defined Animal Models of Neurobehavioral Dysfunctions

Abstract

The ability of an organism to cope with stressful situations represents one of the major adaptive processes required to adapt successfully to changing environmental conditions. The “coping” processes involve complex interactions among cognitive mechanisms, central neurochemical changes, and neuroendocrine responses, all processes aimed at improving readily available energy and at triggering adequate behavioral responses. Considerable variations among individuals in response to various Stressors can occur at virtually any level during the course of the response. One approach to this complex problem has been to use psychogenetically selected rat strains (inbred) or lines (outbred) that have been selected according to behavioral parameters, and in which selection traits have been maintained over generations.

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Walker, CD., Aubert, M.L., Meaney, M.J., Driscoll, P. (1992). Individual Differences in the Activity of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenocortical System After Stressors: Use of Psychogenetically Selected Rat Lines as a Model. In: Driscoll, P. (eds) Genetically Defined Animal Models of Neurobehavioral Dysfunctions. Birkhäuser, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6732-9_13

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