Effects of postweaning social isolation and re-socialization on the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and dendritic development in the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat.

Pascual R, Zamora-León SP, Valero-Cabré A

Acta neurobiologiae experimentalis1 Jan 2006Cited by 31 (Europe PMC)

PMID16617672DOI10.55782/ane-2006-1582PepBankPUB-16617672

Summary

In the present study we evaluated the effects of early social isolation and re-socialization on dendritic development and the expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of the rat. Sprague-Dawley male rats were reared either in isolation (IC) or social (SC) conditions from postnatal day 18 to 32. Rats were then behaviorally evaluated in the open field test, and approximately half of the animals were sacrificed. Their brains were processed either for immunocytochemical labeling against VIP or for the Golgi-Cox-Sholl staining. The remaining IC rats were re-socialized during 30 additional days. The results demonstrated that early social isolation impair neuronal dendritic arborization and increase the number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons. Furthermore, animals displayed hyperlocomotion in the open-field test. According to our structural, immunocytochemical and open-field data, the resocialization experience was unable to reverse neuronal and behavioral abnormalities.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured2

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats, early social isolation increased the number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex.
In plain wordsIn rats, early social isolation increased the number of brain cells carrying the body's own VIP.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
IncreaseVIP-immunoreactive neurons after early social isolation
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Post-weaning social isolation; medial prefrontal cortex
Comparator
Socially reared rats
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
The results demonstrated that early social isolation impair neuronal dendritic arborization and increase the number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sprague-Dawley male rats were reared either in isolation (IC) or social (SC) conditions from postnatal day 18 to 32.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-1661767201
02AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats, re-socialization did not reverse the abnormalities seen after early isolation, including the immunocytochemical data.
In plain wordsIn rats, living with other rats again did not reverse the changes caused by early isolation, including in the body's own VIP.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
No significant changeVIP-immunoreactive neurons after re-socialization
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Post-weaning social isolation; medial prefrontal cortex
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Nervous system and cognition
Source sentences
Summary
According to our structural, immunocytochemical and open-field data, the resocialization experience was unable to reverse neuronal and behavioral abnormalities.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Sprague-Dawley male rats were reared either in isolation (IC) or social (SC) conditions from postnatal day 18 to 32.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-1661767202

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Version history

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Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 12:58 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 12:41 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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