Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis NMDA receptors and nitric oxide modulate contextual fear conditioning in rats

Autor(es)

Hott, Sara C. ; Gomes, Felipe V. ; Uliana, Daniela L. ; Vale, Gabriel T. ; Tirapelli, Carlos R. ; Resstel, Leonardo B. M.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Neuropharmacology; v. 112, p. 9-pg., 2017-01-01.

Resumo

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) modulates anxiety-like responses, including conditioned emotional responses. Evidence suggests that glutamatergic neurotransmission in the BNST plays a role in the modulation of defensive responses. However, little is known about the involvement of glutamate NMDA receptor activation within the BNST, and its resultant increase in nitric oxide (NO) levels, in the expression of contextual fear conditioning (CFC). We investigated whether the antagonism of NMDA receptors or the reduction of NO levels in the BNST would attenuate behavioral and autonomic responses (i.e. increase in arterial pressure and heart rate, and decrease in tail cutaneous temperature) of rats submitted to a CFC paradigm. Intra-BNST infusion of AP7, an NMDA receptor antagonist, attenuated both behavioral and autonomic changes induced by CFC. Similar results were observed with NPLA and c-PTIO, an nNOS inhibitor and an NO scavenger, respectively. A positive correlation between BNST NO levels and the time spent in freezing behavior was also observed for animals submitted to the CFC. These findings indicate that the expression of CFC involves a facilitation of BNST NMDA receptor-NO signaling. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Ionotropic glutamate receptors'. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/17343-0 - Avaliação dos efeitos do canabidiol sobre as alterações comportamentais e moleculares induzidas pelo tratamento repetido com MK-801
• Beneficiário: Felipe Villela Gomes
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 09/03187-9 - Estudo do envolvimento do córtex pré-frontal medial de ratos nas respostas comportamentais observadas no modelo do lamber punido de Vogel: uma possível via receptores NMDA/ óxido nítrico e endocanabinoides
• Beneficiário: Leonardo Resstel Barbosa Moraes
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 11/13299-9 - O sistema noradrenérgico do núcleo leito da estria terminal modulando a resposta emocional condicionada contextual: possível interação com o CRF e a neurotransmissão glutamatérgica
• Beneficiário: Sara Cristina Hott
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto