Figure 5.

Effect of social isolation in NAcSh on resting membrane potential (RMP), neuronal excitability and current-voltage relationship. (a) Social isolation significantly reduced RMP (t₄₄ = 2.32, * indicates P < 0.05, n = 5). (b) Sample traces obtained by current injection. (c) Social isolation significantly decreased NAcSh neuronal excitability (t_87–89 = 2.23, * indicates P < 0.05, ** indicates P < 0.01 among the range of current injected, n = 8). (d) Sample traces recorded from control and social isolation groups in the presence of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channel blockers (neurons held at −70 mV). (e) Social isolation significantly decreased membrane input resistance (t₂₆ = 2.39, * indicates P < 0.05 from 125- to 400-pA current injection, n = 4). (f) Ba²⁺ blocked social isolation–induced effects on membrane input resistance (t = 1.37, P > 0.20, n = 4). Scale bars represent 20 mV and 200 ms for sample traces. (g) Imipramine reversed social isolation–induced changes in RMP (F_3,174 = 5.189, P = 0.01, *** indicates significantly different (P < 0.05) from CON/CON, n = 4–5 animals per group). (h) Sample traces induced by current injection. (i) Social isolation–induced decrease in neuronal excitability was reversed by imipramine (F_3,172, P < 0.05, n = 4–5 animals per group, *** indicates difference from CON/CON).