Interaction between stress and serotonergic signaling pathways to modulate extinction learning in the amygdala (A07)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316803389

The amygdala has been identified as one of the main neuronal circuits involved in the processing of memories of emotional behavior including anxiety and fear and is one of the key components in the brain for processing stress responses. Thus, we will investigate the role of serotonergic signaling pathways within the amygdala for aversive learning and extinction under normal and stress conditions. By using light-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), we will optogenetically control 5 HT2A/2C receptor signaling pathways in parvalbumin positive interneurons and glutamatergic pyramidal neurons during fear memory formation and extinction learning in the amygdala. We want to investigate how these receptors modulate fear conditioning, extinction, renewal and reinstatement under normal and stress conditions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1280: Extinction Learning
• Applicant Institution: Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Stefan Herlitze; Dr. Katharina Spoida