Chemical lesion of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis blocks the behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress.
Uncontrollable or inescapable shock (IS) produces behavioral changes that are characterized by a sensitized fear system and a deficit in fight-flight responding. These behavioral changes have been argued to represent an anxiety-like state produced by the uncontrollability of the stressor. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in the mediation of long-duration responses to unpredictable stressors, which have also been argued to represent anxiety. In the present study, the effects of BNST chemical lesion on the IS-induced sensitization of freezing to an environment previously paired with shock and the IS-induced impairment of escape responding were investigated. BNST chemical lesion blocked the potentiation of freezing and the increases in escape latency that normally follow IS.
Hammack
Sayamwong E
SE
Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. shammac@emory.edu
Richey
Kristen J
KJ
Watkins
Linda R
LR
Maier
Steven F
SF
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*
D016202:N-Methylaspartate