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The amygdala mediates the anxiolytic-like effect of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in rat

Academic Article
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Overview

authors

  • Akwa, Y.
  • Purdy, R. H.
  • Koob, George
  • Britton, K. T.

publication date

  • December 1999

journal

  • Behavioural Brain Research  Journal

abstract

  • The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one) possesses clear anxiolytic-like effects. Other neurosteroids namely pregnenolone sulfate (PREG-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) influence anxiety-related behavior differently. In the present study, the implication of the amygdala, a key structure in mechanisms of fear and anxiety, was investigated as a potential neural substrate for the effects of neurosteroids on anxiety-like behavior in rat. Animals implanted with bilateral cannulae aimed at the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and infused with neurosteroids, were tested in two animal models of anxiety. Allopregnanolone (8 microg/side) produced a significant increase in responding suppressed by punishment in the conflict test. In the elevated plus maze, allopregnanolone (8 microg/side) induced a significant increase in the time spent and the number of entries in open arms compared with the vehicle-infused controls. No significant changes in punished and unpunished responding of the conflict test were observed with PREG-S (0.001-8 microg/side) and DHEA-S (2-8 microg/side) administered into the CeA or into the lateral ventricle (1-20 microg). The results reveal the lack of activity of PREG-S and DHEA-S in the operant conflict test, but suggest that the central nucleus of the amygdala is a key region involved in the mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic-like action of allopregnanolone.

subject areas

  • Amygdala
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Conflict (Psychology)
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Female
  • Injections
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Ovariectomy
  • Pregnanolone
  • Pregnenolone
  • Punishment
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
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Research

keywords

  • allopregnanolone
  • amygdala
  • anxiety
  • conflict test
  • dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
  • neurosteroid
  • plus-maze
  • pregnenolone sulfate
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Identity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0166-4328

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/s0166-4328(99)00101-1

PubMed ID

  • 10595427
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Additional Document Info

start page

  • 119

end page

  • 125

volume

  • 106

issue

  • 1-2

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