Abstract
Infusions into the amygdala (a brain area essential for excitatory fear conditioning) of either NMDA receptor antagonists or inhibitors of the NMDA receptor-linked mitogen activated protein kinase cascade block extinction learning. Conversely, the NMDA receptor agonist D-cycloserine facilitates extinction after either systemic administration or intra-amygdala infusion. Because therapeutic interventions based on extinction procedures are commonly used to treat fear disorders, and because D-cycloserine is a widely available and safe compound, D-cycloserine or similar agents might be usefully combined with traditional extinction-based approaches in the treatment of clinical fear.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amygdala / drug effects
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Amygdala / enzymology*
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Amygdala / physiopathology
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Animals
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Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
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Extinction, Psychological / drug effects
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Extinction, Psychological / physiology*
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Fear / drug effects
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Fear / physiology*
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Humans
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / drug effects
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / enzymology*
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
Substances
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Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
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Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
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Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases