An agonist for the opioid receptor–like 1 gene might help.
Treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would be easier with an early intervention that reduced the consolidation of fear memories. These researchers explored gene regulation in amygdala-dependent fear in animals and humans.
First, the researchers exposed mice to immobilization on a wooden board (IMO), a highly stressful paradigm that, after a single exposure, results in impaired fear extinction, including impaired memory and enhanced anxiety. IMO-exposed and control nonexposed animals then underwent auditory-fear conditioning (tone stimulus to footshock). IMO was associated with more enhanced freezing and difficulties in discriminating between nonthreat periods and danger signals. With fear conditioning, the IMO mice (unlike non-IMO …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)