Inactivation of the medial prefrontal cortex with the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol increases open-arm activity in the elevated plus-maze and attenuates shock-probe burying in rats.
This study examined the effects of infusions of a direct GABA(A) receptor agonist, muscimol, into the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), on fear behavior measured in the elevated plus-maze and shock-probe burying tests. Bilateral infusions of either a 0.175 or 4 nmol/0.5 microl dose of muscimol increased the percentage of entries and time spent in the open arms, and attenuated shock-probe burying. These findings indicate that intra-MPFC infusions of muscimol induce anxiolysis, and suggest that the direct stimulation of MPFC GABA(A) receptors attenuates fear-related behavior.
Shah
Akeel A
AA
Department of Psychology, University of Alberta P217 Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E9. aashah@ualberta.ca
Sjovold
Travis
T
Treit
Dallas
D
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008845:Microinjections; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011678:Punishment; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D018755:GABA Agonists; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D009118:Muscimol