Neuroplasticity and Calcium Signaling in Stressed Rat Amygdala
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a syndrome of symptoms indicative of emotional dysfunction, which develop after exposure to life-threatening events. Prevalent symptoms are exaggerated fear and anxiety, which become particularly intense during exposure to situations reminiscent of the traumatic events that precipitated the disease. The amygdala is a key component of the brain's neuronal network that determines the emotional significance of external events. Despite the central role of the amygdala in emotional behavior, little is known about the impact of stress on the amygdala's function. Clinical evidence indicates that norepinephrine and serotonin may participate in modulating the synaptic plasticity phenomena that result in the memory of frightening events in PTSD. Our data indicate that the modulatory effects of norepinephrine and serotonin receptors on synaptic transmission, neuroplasticity and calcium homeostasis are altered in traumatically stressed rat amygdala. The results of this study may aid in the development of new strategies aimed at modifying and preventing the formation of traumatic memory, and thus could be useful for the treatment of combat PTSD in veterans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435451
Entities
People
- Aiquin Chen
- Chris Hough
- Eleanore H. Gamble
- He Li
- Maria Braga
- Preetha Abraham
- Sean Manion
- V> Anderjaska
- Xiaolong Jiang
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine