Stress Enables Reinforcement-Elicited Serotonergic Consolidation of Fear Memory.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prior exposure to stress is a risk factor for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in response to trauma, yet the mechanisms by which this occurs are unclear. Using a rodent model of stress-based susceptibility to PTSD, we investigated the role of serotonin in this phenomenon.

Methods

Adult mice were exposed to repeated immobilization stress or handling, and the role of serotonin in subsequent fear learning was assessed using pharmacologic manipulation and western blot detection of serotonin receptors, measurements of serotonin, high-speed optogenetic silencing, and behavior.

Results

Both dorsal raphe serotonergic activity during aversive reinforcement and amygdala serotonin 2C receptor (5-HT2CR) activity during memory consolidation were necessar

SUBMITTER: Baratta MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4698247 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature