Elucidation of underlying mechanism for the modulation of fear circuit by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21653
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology; Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Yamada Daisuke 国立研究開発法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所 疾病研究第四部, 科研費研究員 (10621302)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 多価不飽和脂肪酸 / 恐怖記憶 / カンナビノイド / 神経回路 / 扁桃体 / 聴覚野 / シナプス可塑性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we examined the effect of a ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA, 3:6 ratio) in the diet on synaptic transmission in fear circuit. We found that auditory fear memory was significantly reduced in mice fed a high 3:6 ratio diet, when compared with that in mice fed a low 3:6 ratio diet (control diet). In parallel with the behavioral change, long-term potentiation of optogenetically evoked excitatory synaptic transmission in auditory fear circuit (at the terminal of projection from the auditory cortex to lateral nucleus of the amygdala) was significantly reduced in mice fed a high 3:6 ratio diet. Furthermore, both behavioral and electrophysiological changes were blocked by application of an antagonist for cannabinoid CB1 receptors.These results provide new insights into the understanding of neurocircuitry mechanism for the effect of PUFA in emotion regulation.

Free Research Field

神経生理学