2018 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Neural circuit and molecular mechanisms for noradrenergic modulation of fear learning and memory
| Project/Area Number |
16K21620
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| Research Institution | Institute of Physical and Chemical Research |
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Principal Investigator |
Tan BaoZhen 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳神経科学研究センター, 研究員 (80756784)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
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| Keywords | amygdala / noradrenaline / fear conditioning / optogenetics / neural circuits |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Noradrenaline in the lateral amygdala (LA) modulates Hebbian plasticity mechanisms via beta-adrenergic (b-AR) receptors to facilitate formation of auditory fear memories. We have showed that LC activity and activation of LC terminals in LA specifically during aversive experience is required for and facilitates fear memory formation. We have also found that NA release from the LC terminals in LA regulates fear conditioning through actions on b-AR and CRTC1. Fear learning produced a significant increase in CRTC1 nuclear accumulation in LA neurons and expression of dominant negative form of CRTC1 reduced long term fear memory formation, implicating CRTC1 as a potential mechanism for transducing noradrenergic signaling in LA neurons into long term fear memories. We have presented in posters.
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