Antagonism of lateral amygdala alpha1-adrenergic receptors facilitates fear conditioning and long-term potentiation.
Norepinephrine receptors have been studied in emotion, memory, and attention. However, the role of alpha1-adrenergic receptors in fear conditioning, a major model of emotional learning, is poorly understood. We examined the effect of terazosin, an alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, on cued fear conditioning. Systemic or intra-lateral amygdala terazosin delivered before conditioning enhanced short- and long-term memory. Terazosin delivered after conditioning did not affect consolidation. In vitro, terazosin impaired lateral amygdala inhibitory postsynaptic currents leading to facilitation of excitatory postsynaptic currents and long-term potentiation. Since alpha1 blockers are prescribed for hypertension and post-traumatic stress disorder, these results may have important clinical implications.
Lazzaro
Stephanie C
SC
Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA. slazzaro@cns.nyu.edu
Hou
Mian
M
Cunha
Catarina
C
LeDoux
Joseph E
JE
Cain
Christopher K
CK
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D003463:Cues; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007267:Injections; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; C041226:Terazosin; D011224:Prazosin