Venlafaxine reverses decreased proliferation in the subventricular zone in a rat model of early life stress

•Neonatal stress induced depressive-like behavior and cognitive deficits.•Neonatal stress induced decrease in proliferation in the subventricular zone.•Venlafaxine reversed all deleterious effects of chronic stress.

It is believed that glucocorticoids control the proliferation of neural progenitor cells, and this process is highly involved in mood disorders and cognitive processes. Using the maternal separation model of chronic neonatal stress, it has been found that stress induced depressive-like behavior, cognitive deficits and a decrease in proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ). Venlafaxine reversed all deleterious effects of chronic stress by modulating HPA activity. These outcomes suggest modulation of stress-mediated glucocorticoid secretion as a target for the treatment of mood disorders and neurodegenerative processes.