title: Fear-potentiated behaviour is modulated by central amygdala angiotensin II AT1 receptors stimulation.
abstract: Central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the most important regulatory centres for the emotional processes. Among the different neurotransmitter systems present in this nucleus, AT1 receptors have been also found, but their role in the generation and modulation of emotions is not fully understood. The present work evaluated the effect of intra-amygdalar injection of losartan (AT1 receptor antagonist) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in the anxiety state induced by fear-potentiated plus maze in male Wistar rats. Fear in the elevated plus maze can be potentiated by prior inescapable footshock stress. The decrease in the time spent in the open arms induced by the inescapable footshock was totally prevented by losartan (4 pmol) administration in CeA. It was also found that Ang II (48 fmol) administration decreased the time spent in the open arms in animals with or without previous footshock exposure. The locomotor activity and grooming behaviour were also evaluated. The results obtained from the different parameters analyzed allowed us to conclude that the Ang II AT1 receptors in CeA are involved in the anxiety state induced by stress in the fear-potentiated plus-maze behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological and Technological Research (IIBYT-CONICET), National University of Córdoba, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Catholic University of Córdoba, 5017 Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Maria de los Angeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Marinzalda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological and Technological Research (IIBYT-CONICET), National University of Córdoba, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Catholic University of Córdoba, 5017 Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Pablo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences and Experimental Psychology, IMBECU-CONICET, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cuyo, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina.
authors.forename: Pascual A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological and Technological Research (IIBYT-CONICET), National University of Córdoba, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Catholic University of Córdoba, 5017 Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Brenda S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Casarsa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Pharmacology (IFEC-CONICET), Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3542-2177
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bregonzio
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological and Technological Research (IIBYT-CONICET), National University of Córdoba, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Catholic University of Córdoba, 5017 Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4329-4398
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baiardi
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D066274:Central Amygdaloid Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D006120:Grooming / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D000804:Angiotensin II