title: Role of the basolateral amygdala dopamine receptors in arachidonylcyclopropylamide-induced fear learning deficits.
abstract: There is much evidence suggesting that the mesoamygdala dopaminergic (DAergic) system plays a crucial role in the formation and expression of fear conditioning, with both D1 and D2 receptors being involved. In addition, cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) signaling modulates DAergic pathways. The present study sought to determine the involvement of basolateral amygdala (BLA) dopamine receptors in arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA)-induced fear learning deficits. Context- and tone-dependent fear conditioning in adult male NMRI mice was evaluated. Pre-training intraperitoneal administration of ACPA (0.1 mg/kg) decreased the percentage of freezing in context- or tone-dependent fear conditioning, suggesting an acquisition impairment. Pre-training intra-BLA microinjection of a subthreshold dose of SKF38393 (D1-like receptor agonist), SCH23390 (D1-like receptor antagonist), quinpirole (D2-like receptor agonist), or sulpiride (D2-like receptor antagonist) did not alter the context-dependent fear learning deficit induced by ACPA, while SKF38393 or quinpirole restored ACPA effect on tone-dependent fear learning. Moreover, SKF38393 (1 μg/mouse), SCH23390 (0.04 and 0.08 μg/mouse), or quinpirole (0.1 μg/mouse) all impaired context-dependent fear learning. It is concluded that D1 or D2 dopamine (DA) receptor activation restores tone- but not context-dependent fear learning deficit induced by CB1 activation using ACPA.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Northern Branch, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajian
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohaddeseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi-Ghiri
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. nasehi@iricss.org.|Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran. nasehi@iricss.org.|Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nasehi@iricss.org.|Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran. nasehi@iricss.org.|School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran. nasehi@iricss.org.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zarrindast
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066272:Basolateral Nuclear Complex / Q000187:drug effects*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008845:Microinjections; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000235:genetics; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; C000600618:DRD2 protein, mouse; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; C583261:Drd1 protein, mouse; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; C119324:arachidonylcyclopropylamide
keywords: ACPA; Basolateral amygdala; Dopamine receptors; Fear memory conditioning