Amygdala BDNF signaling is required for consolidation but not encoding of extinction.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) acting through the tyrosine kinase B receptor (TrkB) is thought to be a critical mediator of learning. As there are no available selective antagonists of TrkB, we used a lentivirus encoding a dominant-negative TrkB (TrkB.t1) to antagonize BDNF signaling during extinction of conditioned fear. Whereas TrkB.t1-infected rats showed normal within-session extinction, their retention of extinction was impaired, suggesting that amygdala TrkB activation is required for the consolidation of stable extinction memories.
Chhatwal
Jasmeer P
JP
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Suite 4000, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Stanek-Rattiner
Lisa
L
Davis
Michael
M
Ressler
Kerry J
KJ
D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000502:physiology; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000077285:Rimonabant; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D020813:Receptor, trkB; D000077285:Rimonabant