Date of Award
1-2026
Embargo Period
5-28-2027
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Additional Department
Neuroscience
College
College of Graduate Studies
First Advisor
Patrick Mulholland
Second Advisor
Jennifer Rinker
Abstract
Stress is an inherent and necessary part of daily life, arising from environmental, emotional, chemical, physical, and social sources, many of which are unavoidable. While stress serves an adaptive, evolutionary function, its dysregulation can lead to psychiatric disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These disorders are characterized by the absence of a single biological origin and are thought to be multi-realizable, with similar symptoms emerging from diverse combinations of genetic, environmental, and experiential risk factors. Understanding these mechanisms in preclinical models is crucial for identifying new diagnostic tools, pharmacological targets, and brain regions of interest. This dissertation investigates stress and stress responses in mice using behavioral, molecular, and electrophysiological methods.
Recommended Citation
OHara, Krysten P., "Stress Mediated Changes in the Mouse Prefrontal Cortex" (2026). MUSC Theses and Dissertations. 1090.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/theses/1090
Rights
Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.