Activation of somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors reduces the acquisition and expression of cued fear in the rat fear-potentiated startle test.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Fear conditioning is an important factor in the etiology of anxiety disorders. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for serotonin (5-HT)_1A receptors in fear conditioning. However, the relative contribution of somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors and post-synaptic 5-HT_1A heteroreceptors in fear conditioning is still unclear.

Objective

To determine the role of pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT_1A receptors in the acquisition and expression of cued and contextual conditioned fear.

Methods

We studied the acute effects of four 5-HT_1A receptor ligands in the fear-potentiated startle test. Male Wistar rats were injected with the 5-HT_1A receptors biased agonists F13714 (0-0.16 mg/kg, IP), which preferen

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6591185 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature