The human gut harbours trillions of symbiotic bacteria that play a key role in programming
different aspects of host physiology in health and disease. These intestinal microbes are …

Depression is apparently the most common psychiatric disease among the mood disorders
affecting about 10% of the adult population. The etiology and pathogenesis of depression …

The forced swim test (FST) is a behavioral test in rodents which was developed in 1978 by
Porsolt and colleagues as a model for predicting the clinical efficacy of antidepressant …

During the perinatal period, the brain is particularly sensitive to remodelling by
environmental factors. Adverse early‐life experiences, such as stress exposure or …

Maternal distress during pregnancy increases plasma levels of cortisol and corticotrophin
releasing hormone in the mother and foetus. These may contribute to insulin resistance and …

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most widely prescribed
antidepressant class today and exert their antidepressant-like effects by increasing synaptic …

Recent studies in humans suggest that alterations in the activity of the neuroendocrine
system mediate the effects of psychosocial stress on fetal development and birth outcome …

The prenatal and postnatal early-life periods are both dynamic and vulnerable windows for
brain development. During these important neurodevelopmental phases, essential …

Corticosteroids are an essential component of the body's homeostatic system. In common
with other such systems, this implies that corticosteroid levels in blood and, more …

Exposure to hostile conditions results in a series of coordinated responses aimed at
enhancing the probability of survival. The activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary …