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. Using an optogenetic strategy we will first control serotonin release directly in the amygdala and then 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptor pathways in specifically in GABAergic or glutamtergic neurons to enhance or inhibit fear conditioning, extinction, renewal and reinstatement under normal and stress conditions.
Guiding questions of A07:
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