Role of the dopaminergic receptors D1 and D2 in the inferior colliculus in the expression of inconditioned and conditioned fear responses

• Grant number: 12/06546-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Marcus Lira Brandão
• Grantee: Ana Caroline Colombo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although the inferior colliculus is a structure primarily involved with the processing of acoustic information, it is now widely accepted that it also participates in the integration of sensory, autonomic and behavioral aspects of the defense reaction of animals in dangerous situations. Electrical or chemical stimulation of this structure induces defensive responses such as arousal, freezing and escape. It is known that the inferior colliculus has a high concentration of dopaminergic receptors. Dopamine is one of the most active neuromodulator in mechanisms underlying states of fear and anxiety. Furthermore, the inferior colliculus has indirect projections to the amygdala through the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. Recent studies have shown that distinct modulatory mechanisms are recruited in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) during conditioned and unconditioned fear triggered by activation of neural substrates of the inferior colliculus. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate whether and how dopaminergic modulation in the inferior colliculus is involved in the expression of unconditioned and conditioned fear responses. For this purpose, male Wistar rats will receive administration of agonists and antagonists of dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in the inferior colliculus and will be tested in the elevated plus maze and fear potentiated startle tests.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

COLOMBO, ANA CAROLINE; DE OLIVEIRA, AMANDA RIBEIRO; REIMER, ADRIANO EDGAR; BRANDAO, MARCUS LIRA. Dopaminergic mechanisms underlying catalepsy, fear and anxiety: Do they interact?. Behavioural Brain Research, v. 257, p. 201-207, NOV 15 2013. (12/06546-2, 11/00041-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

COLOMBO, Ana Caroline. Role of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors of the inferior colliculus in the expression of unconditioned and conditioned fear responses. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.