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Enhanced Fear Extinction Through Infralimbic Perineuronal Net Digestion: The Modulatory Role of Adolescent Alcohol
J Daniel Obray1, Adam R Denton2,3, Jayda Carroll-Deaton2
1Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 1, 2024
Summary
Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure alters perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the adult rat brain, impacting fear memory extinction. PNN digestion benefits fear extinction in controls but not in ethanol-exposed rats, suggesting reduced plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Extracellular Matrix Biology
Background:
- Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are crucial for learning and memory, modulating neural plasticity.
- PNNs influence fear memory formation and storage.
- Adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure is a significant concern with potential long-term neurological consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of AIE exposure on PNN expression in adult rat medial prefrontal cortex subregions (PrL and IfL).
- To determine if AIE exposure affects the ability to extinguish conditioned fear memories and if PNNs play a role in this process.
Main Methods:
- Adult rats exposed to AIE via vapor inhalation were analyzed for PNN expression in the PrL and IfL cortex.
- PNN staining intensity and cell counts were quantified.
- Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) was used to digest PNNs in the infralimbic cortex to assess effects on fear extinction and renewal.
Main Results:
- AIE exposure altered PNN expression in a region- and layer-specific manner within the medial prefrontal cortex.
- PNN staining intensity distribution was significantly changed by AIE exposure.
- While PNN digestion enhanced fear extinction in control rats, it had no effect in AIE-exposed rats, indicating impaired plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure alters the expression and potentially the function of PNNs in the adult medial prefrontal cortex.
- AIE exposure reduces the brain's ability to benefit from PNN digestion for fear memory extinction, suggesting impaired neuroplasticity.
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