No evidence that post-training dopamine D2 receptor agonism affects fear generalization in male rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important role in the processing of emotional memories, and prior research suggests that dopaminergic manipulations immediately after fear learning can affect the retention and generalization of acquired fear.

Aims

The current study focuses specifically on the role of dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) regarding fear generalization in adult, male Wistar rats, and aims to replicate previous findings in mice.

Methods

In a series of five experiments, D2R (ant)agonists were injected systemically, immediately after differential cued fear conditioning (CS+ followed by shock, CS- without shock). All five experiments involved the administration of the D2R agonist quinpirole at different doses versus saline (n = 12, 16, or 44

SUBMITTER: Schroyens N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7616352 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature