Sleep deprivation inhibits adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus by elevating glucocorticoids

doi:10.1073/pnas.0608644103

Sleep deprivation inhibits adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus by elevating glucocorticoids

Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544

Communicated by Charles G. Gross, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, October 10, 2006 (received for review June 12, 2006)

Abstract

Prolonged sleep deprivation is stressful and has been associated with adverse consequences for health and cognitive performance. Here, we show that sleep deprivation inhibits adult neurogenesis at a time when circulating levels of corticosterone are elevated. Moreover, clamping levels of this hormone prevents the sleep deprivation-induced reduction of cell proliferation. The recovery of normal levels of adult neurogenesis after chronic sleep deprivation occurs over a 2-wk period and involves a temporary increase in new neuron formation. This compensatory increase is dissociated from glucocorticoid levels as well as from the restoration of normal sleep patterns. Collectively, these findings suggest that, although sleep deprivation inhibits adult neurogenesis by acting as a stressor, its compensatory aftereffects involve glucocorticoid-independent factors.

Footnotes

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: goulde{at}princeton.edu
Author contributions: C.M. and E.G. designed research; C.M., J.D.P., and L.N. performed research; C.M., J.D.P., and L.N. analyzed data; and C.M. and E.G. wrote the paper.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Abbreviations:

CORT,

corticosterone;

ADX,

adrenalectomized;

ADX+CORT,

adrenalectomy plus CORT replacement;

CC,

cage control;

GCL,

granule cell layer;

LP,

large platform;

Sham,

sham-operated;

SP,

small platform;

SVZ,

subventricular zone;

REM,

rapid-eye-movement sleep;

EEG,

electroencephalographic;

TuJ1,

class III β-tubulin;

NeuN,

neuronal nuclei.