Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Functional activation of the periaqueductal gray matter during conditioned and unconditioned fear in guinea pigs confronted with the Boa constrictor constrictor snake

Full text
Author(s):
B.B. de Paula [1] ; E.B. Vieira-Rasteli [2] ; F. Calvo ; N.C. Coimbra ; C.R.A. Leite-Panissi
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto. Departamento de Psicologia - Brasil
[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto. Departamento de Psicologia - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 55, 2022-02-16.
Abstract

The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is an essential structure involved in the elaboration of defensive responses, such as when facing predators and conspecific aggressors. Using a prey vs predator paradigm, we aimed to evaluate the PAG activation pattern evoked by unconditioned and conditioned fear situations. Adult male guinea pigs were confronted either by a Boa constrictor constrictor wild snake or by the aversive experimental context. After the behavioral test, the rodents were euthanized and the brain prepared for immunohistochemistry for Fos protein identification in different PAG columns. Although Fos-protein-labeled neurons were found in different PAG columns after both unconditioned and conditioned fear situations at the caudal level of the PAG, we found greater activation of the lateral column compared to the ventrolateral and dorsomedial columns after predator exposure. Moreover, the lateral column of the PAG showed higher Fos-labeled cells at the caudal level compared to the same area at the rostral level. The present results suggested that there are different activation patterns of PAG columns during unconditioned and conditioned fear in guinea pigs. It is possible to hypothesize that the recruitment of specific PAG columns depended on the nature of the threatening stimulus. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/03798-0 - Involvement of opioid and endocanabinoid receptors of the substantia nigra on the activity of Nigro-Tectal GABAergic pathways during defensive behaviour elicited by rodents confronted with venomous snakes
Grantee:Norberto Cysne Coimbra
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 05/00096-1 - Functional anatomy evaluation of the defensive behavior of tonic immobility in guinea pigs
Grantee:Christie Ramos Andrade Leite Panissi
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 07/06549-3 - Evaluation of the defensive behavior of tonic immobility and of the nociceptive after restricted lesions in structures of the aversive cerebral system.
Grantee:Eveline Bis Vieira Rasteli
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 17/11855-8 - Study of corpus striatum and ventral mesencephalon endocanabinoid influence on neostriato-nigro-tectal GABAergic pathways during panic reactions of rodents threatened by venomous snakes
Grantee:Norberto Cysne Coimbra
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants