Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels have been shown to alter the encoding of spatial and non-spatial memory in the hippocampus by shaping glutamatergic postsynaptic potentials and modulating NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity. When activated, dendritic SK channels reduce hippocampal neuronal excitability and LTP. Similar SK channel properties have been demonstrated in lateral amygdala (LA) pyramidal neurons. Additionally, induction of synaptic plasticity and beta-adrenoreceptor activation in LA pyramidal neurons causes PKA-mediated internalization of SK channels from the postsynaptic density. Chronic activation of the amygdala through repetitive stressful stimuli can lead to excitatory synaptic strengthening that may create permanent hyper-excitability in its circuitry. This mechanism may contribute to a number of mood and anxiety disorders. The selective influence of SK channels in the LA on anxiety and fear conditioning are not known. The thesis project outlined herein examined whether SK channel blockade by bee venom peptide, apamin, during a repetitive acute fear conditioning paradigm was sufficient to alter fear memory encoding and the resulting behavioral outcome. Following the final fear memory test session, mice were tested in the open field immediately after the second fear conditioning test session. The findings indicate that intracranial LA microinfusions of apamin did not affect memory encoding or subsequent anxiety. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_32127 |
| Contributors | Sanguinetti, Shannon (author), Stackman, Robert W. (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 69 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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