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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Stress-Enhanced Fear Learning, a Robust Rodent Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Published on: October 13, 2018
Differences in hippocampal serotonergic activity in a mouse single prolonged stress paradigm impact discriminant fear
Deane E Aikins1, John A Strader2, Robert J Kohler2
1Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, 4646 John R St., Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
Abstract:
A mouse model of traumatic stress provided insight into a mechanism of individual differences in conditioned fear responding. Hippocampal serotonergic activity (metabolic turnover) was associated with increased behavioral freezing during fear acquisition in a portion of trauma-exposed subjects. These subjects later displayed enhanced fear to the neutral cue during retention. An inability to discriminate fear responses may underlie dysfunctional fear memories in a sub-population of individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with contributions from the hippocampal serotonin system.
