Rapamycin improved CA1 dendritic arborization and spine density in hippocampi from rats subjected to SE.

<p>We used golgi staining followed by neurolucida reconstructions to determine dendritic branching and spine density in CA1 cells from SE and sham rats after treatment with rapamycin (Rap) or vehicle (Veh) following the behavioral tests. (<b>A</b>) Representative images of golgi-stained CA1 neurons and their respective reconstructions showing the branch points from the apical dendrites. (<b>B</b>) Branch point analysis normalized to percent of Sham+Veh (% control) shows a significant decrease in the apical dendrite branch points in the SE+Veh compared to the Sham+Veh group that is reversed in the SE+Rap group; n = 4−6 brains/group from which 4–17 cells/brain were analyzed. (<b>C</b>) Analysis of cell body area shows no differences between the groups. (<b>D</b>) Representative images of 20 µm sections of second order dendritic branches and spines; n = 59−80 branches/group. (<b>E</b>) Quantitative analysis of spine density in secondary dendritic branch structures shows a significant decrease in spine density from the SE+Veh compared to the Sham+Veh group that is reversed in the SE+Rap group. Scale bar = <b>A</b>: 100µm; <b>D</b>: 5µm. * compared to Sham+Veh, <i>P<</i>0.05; † compared to SE+Veh, <i>P<</i>0.05, ANOVA with Tukey’s <i>post hoc</i> test. Error bars = SEM.