Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
11:17
Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
Published on: August 24, 2012
Polyaminergic agents modulate contextual fear extinction in rats.
Guilherme Monteiro Gomes1, Carlos Fernando Mello, Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa
1Department of Chemistry, Center of Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, UFSM, Santa Maria, 97105-900 RS, Brazil.
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|March 9, 2010
Summary
Polyamines like spermidine can enhance fear extinction memory when administered after training. This effect involves N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAr) and suggests potential therapeutic uses for anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Polyamines (spermidine, spermine) are known to improve memory via N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDAr).
- The role of polyamines and NMDAr antagonists in fear extinction remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of spermidine and NMDAr antagonists on the extinction of contextual conditioned fear.
- To determine if polyamines modulate fear extinction through NR2B subunit-containing NMDAr.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats underwent contextual conditioned fear training.
- Bilateral intra-hippocampal administration of spermidine or NMDAr antagonists (arcaine, ifenprodil, traxoprodil) post-extinction training.
- Behavioral assessment of fear extinction.
Main Results:
- Post-training spermidine administration facilitated fear extinction.
- NMDAr antagonists disrupted fear extinction and reversed spermidine's facilitatory effect.
- These effects were mediated by NR2B subunit-containing NMDAr in the hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous and endogenous polyamines facilitate fear extinction via hippocampal NR2B-NMDAr activation.
- Polyamines show potential as therapeutic agents for anxiety-related disorders treated with extinction-based exposure therapy.
