Juvenile stress increases cocaine-induced impulsivity in female rats.

In humans, adverse childhood experiences are associated with an increased risk of developing a neuropsychiatric disorder. Changes in social behavior and cognitive function are hallmarks of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we examined the effects of exposure to variable stress during the juvenile period on social behavior, reward, and cognitive function (as measured in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT)) in rats.

Contribution of GABA receptor subunits to attention and social behavior.

Introduction: GABA dysfunction is associated with a number of psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, autism and depression. Blocking cortical GABA receptors in rodents causes behavioral deficits, including impaired attention and sociability, that are consistent with the symptoms of these conditions. The subunit composition of GABA receptors is diverse and can affect receptor function.