Complete reversal of dendritic atrophy in CA3 neurons of the hippocampus by rehabilitation in restraint stressed rats

We have shown previously that chronic restraint stress causes atrophy of apical dendrites and alterations in the spine density of CA3 hippocampal neurons in rats. In the present study, the effect of 45 days of rehabilitation following 21 days of restraint stress on the dendritic morphology of CA3 neurons of the hippocampus was carried out. The results revealed that 45 days of rehabilitation reverses restraint stress-induced (6 h/day for 21 days) apical dendritic atrophy in CA3 neurons of the hippocampus. Whereas prolonged repeated restraint stress during this period also resulted in an atrophy of basal dendrites, suggesting that long-term stress can affect the hippocampal neurons more severely. These results showed that chronic stress-induced structural pathology of hippocampal neurons can be completely reversed by rehabilitation.