Activation of BDNF signaling prevents the return of fear in female mice.

Learn Mem

Psychiatric Epigenomics Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.

Published: April 2013

AI Article Synopsis

  • There are notable sex differences in vulnerability to fear-related anxiety disorders, with females being twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to males.
  • Female mice show resistance to fear extinction and demonstrate increased DNA methylation of the Bdnf gene, leading to decreased BDNF mRNA expression in the medial prefrontal cortex.
  • Activating BDNF signaling through a specific agonist can prevent the return of fear in female mice after extinction training, suggesting a potential new treatment strategy for fear-related anxiety disorders.

Article Abstract

There are significant sex differences in vulnerability to develop fear-related anxiety disorders. Females exhibit twice the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as males and sex differences have been observed in fear extinction learning in both humans and rodents, with a failure to inhibit fear emerging as a precipitating factor in the development of PTSD. Here we report that female mice are resistant to fear extinction, and exhibit increased DNA methylation of Bdnf exon IV and a concomitant decrease in mRNA expression within the medial prefrontal cortex. Activation of BDNF signaling by the trkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone blocks the return of fear in female mice after extinction training, and thus represents a novel approach to treating fear-related anxiety disorders that are characterized by a resistance to extinction and increased propensity for renewal.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/lm.029520.112DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

female mice
12
activation bdnf
8
bdnf signaling
8
return fear
8
fear female
8
sex differences
8
fear-related anxiety
8
anxiety disorders
8
fear extinction
8
fear
5

Similar Publications

Juice and decoction of leaves of Suaeda fruticosa, a halophytic medicinal plant of Cholistan desert, is traditionally used to treat rheumatism. The current study was carried out to probe into in vivo anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic potential of ethanolic extract of the whole plant of S. fruticosa (Et-SF) and its bioactive molecules.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Amino acid metabolism provides significant insight into the development and prevention of many viral diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the amino acid profiles of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) patients with those of healthy individuals and to further reveal the molecular mechanisms of HFMD severity. Using UPLC-MS/MS, we determined the plasma amino acid expression profiles of pediatric patients with HFMD (mild,  = 42; severe, = 43) and healthy controls ( = 25).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Investigation of general toxic effects of Relatox in comparison with Dysport].

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova

December 2024

OOO NBC «Pharmbiomed», Moscow, Russia.

Objective: To evaluate the toxic effects of the agent Relatox on mature outbred rats and mice in an acute experiment in comparison with the registered analogue Dysport.

Material And Methods: Based on the aim of experiment, the acute toxic effects of Relatox and Dysport were assessed on two animal species: rats and mice at intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration at dose levels that made it possible to calculate the toxicological parameter values (initially 10-150 U/kg with subsequent usage of additional doses 20 U/kg to 300 U/kg depending on the agent and route of administration). The LD values and other acute toxic parameters were calculated using probit analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a common neglected parasitic disease. Nanoparticles containing drugs have been widely utilized in various formulations for several purposes, including improving the bioavailability of drugs by increasing the solubility and dissolution rate of the nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of solid lipid nanoparticles containing albendazole and conjugated to albumin (B-SLN + ABZ) as a novel treatment approach for hydatid cysts in vivo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: He Shi Yu Lin Formula (HSYLF) is a clinically proven prescription for treating premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and has shown a good curative effect. However, its molecular mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HSYLF and clarify how network pharmacology analysis guides the design of animal experiments, including the selection of effective treatment doses and key targets, to ensure the relevance of the experimental results.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!