Susceptibility to the long-term anxiogenic effects of an acute stressor is mediated by the activation of the glucocorticoid receptors

► C57BL/6 mice display a remarkable interindividual variability in trait anxiety. ► An acute stressor affects the behavior and physiology of mice with high trait anxiety. ► The effects of the acute stressor depend on the degree of activation of the HPA axis. ► Blockade of GR inhibits the effects of the stressor. ► HPA axis activity positively correlates with cocaine-induced place preference.