Chronic stress plays a role in the etiology of several affective and anxiety-related disorders. Despite this, its mechanistic effects on the brain are still unclear. Of particular interest is the effect of chronic stress on the amygdala, which plays a key role in the regulation of emotional responses and memory consolidation. This review proposes a neuroplasticity model for the effects of chronic stress in this region, emphasizing the roles of glutamate and BDNF signaling. This model provides a review of recent discoveries of the effects of chronic stress in the amygdala and reveals pathways for future research.
Keywords: N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor; anandamide (AEA); basolateral amygdala (BLA); brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); chronic stress; fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH); glutamate; neuroplasticity; small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels).