Sleep deprivation elevates plasma corticosterone levels in neonatal rats
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2001 |
Authors: |
Ilana S. Hairston, Norman F. Ruby, Sheila Brooke, Christelle Peyron, Daniel P. Denning, H. Craig Hellera, Robert M. Sapolsky |
Publication/Journal: |
Neuroscience Letters |
Keywords: |
corticosterone, development, neonatal rats, sleep deprivation, stress, stress-hyporesponsive period |
Abstract:
Plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were measured after short periods of sleep deprivation in rats at postnatal days 12, 16, 20, and 24. There was an age-dependent increase in basal CORT levels and sleep deprivation significantly elevated CORT at all ages compared to non-sleep deprived controls. The levels of CORT after sleep deprivation in P16, P20 and P24 animals were similar, resulting in an age-dependent decrease of the magnitude of the response. Sleep deprived P12 animals had lower levels of CORT. However, the observed response to sleep deprivation suggests that sleep loss is a significant stressor at this age. These observations suggest that younger animals are more sensitive to the effects of mild sleep deprivation than older ones.