Estrogen Effects on Prelimbic and Infralimbic ERK Expression Underlying Fear Extinction Memory Consolidation in Female Rats

Presenter

Karina D. Silva

Campus

UMass Boston

Sponsor

Lisa Maeng, Department of Psychology, UMass Boston

Schedule

Session 3, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A96, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Estrogen influences fear extinction behavior and the underlying neurocircuitry. However, it is unclear what molecular mechanisms may be involved in these effects. Activity within the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) areas of the medial prefrontal cortex can increase or decrease fear expression, respectively. The MAPK/ERK pathway is involved in estrogen receptor activation and is critical for fear extinction. This study examined the effect of estradiol (E2) treatment on PL and IL phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK) expression in fear extinction memory consolidation. Adult Sprague Dawley female rats underwent a 3-day fear conditioning, extinction, and recall (recent recall) behavioral paradigm. An additional recall test (remote recall) was performed 1-2 weeks after extinction training. Rats were treated with sesame oil (vehicle) or E2 prior to extinction training. An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine whether there were differences between vehicle and E2 treatment effects on PL and IL pERK expression during recent and remote recall. In these preliminary data, we did not observe significant differences between the treatment groups in PL and IL pERK expression during recent recall (p>0.05). E2-treated rats displayed more PL and IL pERK expression on average compared to vehicle-treated rats during remote recall; however, this was not statistically significant. In conclusion, more research is needed to examine the influence of estradiol treatment on PL and IL synaptic plasticity.

Keywords

prelimbic cortex, infralimbic cortex, estradiol , fear extinction, extracellular signal-related kinase

Research Area

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

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