| BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor |
| Facilitator of plasticity or growth |
| BDNF overexpression—occludes effects of chronic stress |
| BDNF haploinsufficiency prevents stress-induced plasticity |
| tPA: tissue plasminogen activator |
| Secreted signaling molecule and protease |
| Required for stress-induced spine loss in hippocampus and medial amygdala |
| Required for acute stress-induced increase in anxiety; CRF activates tPA secretion |
| CRF in amygdala regulates tPA release |
| CRF: corticotrophin-releasing factor |
| Secreted in hippocampus by interneurons |
| Downregulates thin spines via RhoA signaling |
| Lipocalin-2: secreted protein; previously unknown function |
| Acute stress induces Lipocalin-2 |
| Lipocalin-2 downregulates mushroom spines |
| Lipocalin-2 KO increases neuronal excitability and anxiety |
| Endocannabinoids |
| Induced via glucocorticoids |
| Regulate emotionality and HPA habituation and shut off |
| CB1 receptor KO increases anxiety and basolateral amygdala dendrite length and causes stress-like retraction of prefrontal cortical dendrites |
