Fear-potentiated behaviour is modulated by central amygdala Angiotensin II AT1 receptors stimulation

Central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the most important regulatory centres for the emotional processes. Among the different neurotransmitter systems present in this nucleus, AT1 receptors have been also found, but their role in the generation and modulation of emotions is not fully unders...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Authors: Marinzalda, María de Los Angeles, Perez, Pablo A., Gargiulo, Pascual Angel, Casarsa, Brenda Solange, Bregonzio Diaz, Claudia, Baiardi, Gustavo Carlos
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2014
Country:Argentina
Institution:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repository:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/32224
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/32224
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Central
Nucleus
Amygdala
Anxiety
Angiotensin
Losartan
At1
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.1
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3
Description
Summary:Central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is one of the most important regulatory centres for the emotional processes. Among the different neurotransmitter systems present in this nucleus, AT1 receptors have been also found, but their role in the generation and modulation of emotions is not fully understood.The present work evaluated the effect of intra-amygdalar injection of losartan (AT1 receptor antagonist) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in the anxiety state induced by fear-potentiated plus maze in maleWistar rats. Fear in the elevated plus maze can be potentiated by prior inescapable footshock stress. The decrease in the time spent in the open arms induced by the inescapable footshock was totally prevented by losartan (4 pmol) administration in CeA. It was also found that Ang II (48 fmol) administration decreased the time spent in the open arms in animals with or without previous footshock exposure.The locomotor activity and grooming behaviour were also evaluated. The results obtained from the different parameters analyzed allowed us to conclude that the Ang II AT1 receptors in CeA are involved in the anxiety state induced by stress in the fear-potentiated plus-maze behaviour.