Effects of corticosterone injections in mid-to-late mouse postnatal development on adult motor activity and coordination

• Adult mouse displayed increased motor activity after postnatal corticosterone injections. A better rotorod acquisition was obtained in adult Postnatal injections facilitated visomotor control mouse. altered cerebellar morphology Glucocorticoids are involved the developing brain but, excessive amounts, may depress its growth and cause psychomotor development disorders. To test long-term vulnerability of structures such as cerebellum to supraphysiological (CORT), hormone subcutaneously delivered at a dose 20 mg/kg from day (P) 8 P29 C57BL/6 male mice evaluated for sensorimotor functions P15, P22, P29, 3 months. Relative placebo, CORT open-field months well facilitating visuomotor necessary swimming towards visible goal without affecting spatial learning Morris water maze. caused lobule-specific effects on by decreasing granule cell layer thickness simplex lobule but increasing molecular crus 2. The functional impact these changes is indicated significant correlations found between size levels or proficiency coordination.