Hippocampal plasticity changes and the mechanism of lower urinary tract dysfunction in a maternal separation stress model.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K23256
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Kamijo Tadanobu 琉球大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (30757555)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 幼少期ストレス / 母子隔離 / 排尿機能 / 膀胱

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Childhood experiences of stress, such as neglect and abuse, are related to disturbances not only in the brain (central) but also in excretory functions (peripheral), such as bowel and bladder, and the systemic effects continue after growth. This study examined the effects of maternal separation on urinary function and behavior after weaning and at maturity. The results showed that the effects of maternal separation caused a reversal of activity in childhood and growth terms, and desensitization to anxiety after growth. In urinary function, urine production and voided volume decreased during childhood, but these functions recovered to normal levels by maturity. However, in a cystometry study, the intercontraction interval of the bladder was found to shorten in maturation.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果の学術的な意義は次の3点である。（1）幼少期のストレスは膀胱を含めた排尿機能へ影響を与えることを示した。（2）ストレスによる排尿機能障害は成長に伴って一部回復するが影響は残ることを明らかにした（3）幼少期ストレスは行動にも影響し、成長後、不安に対して鈍化することを示した。これらの結果は、幼少期のストレスは中枢・末梢両方へ影響し、成長に伴い作用が変化する点と、今後実施予定である末梢の排尿機能の治療が中枢へ与えるであろう可能性に社会的意義があると考える。