Sex-dimorphic role of prefrontal oxytocin receptors in social-induced facilitation of extinction in juvenile rats.

ABSTRACT: We previously reported that in the adult animal extinction in pairs resulted in enhanced extinction, showing that social presence can reduce previously acquired fear responses. Based on our findings that juvenile and adult animals differ in the mechanisms of extinction, here we address whether the social presence of a conspecific affects extinction in juvenile animals similarly to adults. We further address whether such presence has a different impact on juvenile males and females. To that end, we examined in our established experimental setting whether conditioned male and female animals extinguish contextual fear memory better while in pairs. Taking advantage of the role of oxytocin (OT) in the mediation of extinction memory and social interaction, we also study the effect of antagonizin

SUBMITTER: Maroun M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7572379 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature