miRNA sequencing of Rattus Norvegicus hypothalamus after maternal separation and enrichment

This study aimed to understand the contribution of miRNAs in the hypothalamus to stress and depression sensitivity following early life stress exposure as well as the potential for environmental enrichment to negate these effects. Maternal separation in rats was used as a model of early life neglect and a subset of animals received additional enrichment devices beginning in adolescence until adulthood.Because of their ability to regulate many different genes, miRNAs may be a promising candidate for future treatment of stress and stress-related psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. With this sequencing data, we were able to assess how miRNAs in the hypothalamus might affect gene expression relevant to stress signaling, including components of the canonical hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response among many others.