Scientists from Aarhus University (Denmark), as part of an international scientific team, discovered that neurons in the amygdala help form memories of “terrible” events. Research results It was published In the journal Cell Reports (CellRep).
As part of the experiment, scientists divided the mice into two groups. The first group received five consecutive beeps followed by a mild electric shock to the paw. The second group received no electric shocks; only the beeps were used.
After 24 hours, all the mice were tested for fearful memories. The scientists used the sound used in the first part of the experiment again, but did not shock the mice. All the animals froze at the sound, but the mice in the first group remained motionless for much longer; they were expecting pain.
Before starting the second part of the study, the scientists labeled the nerve cells that fired in the mice’s brains when they remembered a frightening experience. These cells were inhibitory neurons in the brain’s amygdala. Activating these cells stopped the mice from responding acutely to fear. When the scientists limited the density of such neurons, the animals froze for longer periods of time, waiting for the electric shock.
The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the development of new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the future, but despite the similarities in the structure of human and mouse brains, challenges can arise.
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Source: Gazeta
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