Endocannabinoid Modulation of Predator Stress-Induced Long-Term Anxiety in Rats.

ABSTRACT: Individuals who experience life-threatening psychological trauma are at risk of developing a series of chronic neuropsychiatric pathologies that include generalized anxiety, depression, and drug addiction. The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in the modulation of these responses by regulating the activity of the amygdala and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the relevance of this signaling complex to the long-term consequences of traumatic events is unclear. Here we use an animal model of predatory stress-induced anxiety-like behavior to investigate the role of the endocannabinoid system in the development of persistent anxiety states. Our main finding is that rats exposed to the fox pheromone 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a life-threatening stimulu

SUBMITTER: Lim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4793117 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature