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M3 muscarinic receptor in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex modulating the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats

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Abstract

Rationale

Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate the activation of cortical neurons by several stimuli such as fear and anxiety. However, the role of the muscarinic receptor in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) in the modulation of the conditioned emotional response (CER) evoked in the model contextual conditioned fear remains unclear.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of the muscarinic receptor in ventral MPFC modulates CER observed during animal’s re-exposure to the aversive context.

Methods

Rats implanted with cannulae aimed at the prelimbic (PL) or the infralimbic (IL) were submitted to a high-intensity contextual fear conditioning protocol. Before the test session, they received microinjections of the hemicholinium (choline reuptake blocker), atropine (muscarinic antagonist), J104129 fumarate (M1-M3 muscarinic antagonists), pirenzepine (M1 muscarinic antagonist), neostigmine (inhibitor acetylcholinesterase enzyme), or the systemic administration of the FG7142 (inverse benzodiazepine agonist). Additional independent groups received the neostigmine or FG7142 before the ineffective doses of J104129 fumarate in the low-intensity protocol of contextual fear conditioning.

Results

In the high-intensity protocol, the administration of hemicholinium (1 nmol), atropine (0.06–6 nmol), J104129 fumarate (6 nmol), or pirenzepine (6 nmol) attenuated the expression of CER in rats. However, in the low-intensity protocol, only J10129 fumarate (0.06 nmol) reduced the expression of the CER. Finally, neostigmine (0.1–1 nmol) or FG7142 (8 mg/Kg) increased CER expression, an effect inhibited by the low dose of the J10129 fumarate.

Conclusions

These results indicated that the blockade of M3 muscarinic receptor in the vMPFC attenuates the CER expression.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Argentin, L.H.C., Fortunato, I.A.C. and Guilhaume, S.S. for technical help. This research was supported by grants from FAPESP (2012/09300-4 and 2012/17626-7), CNPq, and FAEPA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP: 14049-900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil

    A. G. Fedoce, N. C. Ferreira-Junior, D. G. Reis, F. M. A. Corrêa & L. B. M. Resstel

  2. Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    A. G. Fedoce, N. C. Ferreira-Junior, D. G. Reis & L. B. M. Resstel

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  1. A. G. Fedoce
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  2. N. C. Ferreira-Junior
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  3. D. G. Reis
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  4. F. M. A. Corrêa
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  5. L. B. M. Resstel
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Correspondence to L. B. M. Resstel.

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Fedoce, A.G., Ferreira-Junior, N.C., Reis, D.G. et al. M3 muscarinic receptor in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex modulating the expression of contextual fear conditioning in rats. Psychopharmacology 233, 267–280 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-015-4109-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-015-4109-5

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