Selegiline (deprenyl) decreases calbindin-D28k expression in cortical neurons of rats socially deprived during the post-weaning period

► The main intracellular Ca2+ buffering mechanism involves changes in cortical calcium-sequestering protein calbindin-D28k (CB) expression. ► CB immunoreactivity can be elevated by social deprivation (SI) experiences. ► Selegiline exert neuroprotective effects, indirectly determined by frontocortical CB underexpression. ► SI animals show a significant up-regulation of CB expression. ► Selegiline treatment of SI animals significantly diminished the number of CB-ir cells per cortical field.