N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and protein synthesis are necessary for reinstatement of conditioned fear

Neuroreport. 2013 Oct 2;24(14):763-7. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328363b36c.

Abstract

Conditioned fear is extinguished if a conditioned animal receives the conditioned stimulus without an unconditioned stimulus. The extinguished fear response can be reinstated after the animal experiences a mild unconditioned stimulus. Although extensive studies on the neuronal circuitry and neurochemical mechanisms leading to fear acquisition and extinction have been carried out, few studies have focused on reinstatement. In this study, we investigated the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, protein synthesis inhibitors, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) antagonists, and benzodiazepine on reinstatement of conditioned fear in mice. An intraperitoneal injection of the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 or the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin before the reminder shock attenuated fear reinstatement tested the next day. However, anisomycin had no effect on fear reinstatement tested 2 h after the reminder shock. CB1R antagonists, SR141716, and a benzodiazepine, diazepam, had no effect on fear reinstatement. These results suggested that NMDAR and protein synthesis-dependent plasticity contributed toward the reinstatement of conditioned fear and that protein synthesis was involved in consolidation of reinstated fear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anisomycin / pharmacology
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Conditioning, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Conditioning, Psychological / physiology
  • Extinction, Psychological / drug effects
  • Extinction, Psychological / physiology
  • Fear / drug effects*
  • Fear / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects*
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / agonists
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Anisomycin