Tissue was coded to ensure that the experimenter remained blind to animal condition throughout the analysis procedure. Analysis of neurons occurred on the section closest to Bregma 3.7 as well as the next seven posterior sections in rostro-caudal direction, a total of eight sections per animal. Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons were traced and measured using a computer-based neuron tracing system (NeuroLucida—Version 8.10.1; MBF, Bioscience, Williston, VT). For each section, the mPFC was identified by the experimenter at a low magnification (5× objective) and then outlined on the projected image. Next, the cell bodies of Layer II/III pyramidal neurons were marked and traced at a higher magnification (40× objective). Using Line Measure Tool in Neurolucida software the distance between the traced cell body and cortical surface was determined for every traced neuron (10×). Layer II/III pyramidal neurons were classified as such and included in the analysis if they were located within Zilles Cg1 or Cg3 region, demonstrated the characteristic pyramidal-shaped cell body and if they were located between 200–500 μm from the cortical surface. In addition, the following criteria had
