The behavioural neurophysiology of stress : effects on hippocampal formation mechanisms of spatial representation

Abstract

In the fast-paced world we live in we encounter stressful situations on a continuous basis. Some stressors may cause chronic stress whereas others act only on a relatively short time basis and are regarded as acute stressors. Both forms of stress have a high impact on our daily life, well-being and our productivity. With this in mind, the following thesis attempts to shed more light on the behavioural and cellular changes caused by acute stress using electrophysiological, molecular, anatomical and behavioural investigations in the rat.