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The effect of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels on emotional learning and memory

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Date Issued:
2015
Summary:
Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels have been shown to alter the encoding of spatial and non-spatial memory in the hippocampus by shaping glutamatergic postsynaptic potentials and modulating NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity. When activated, dendritic SK channels reduce hippocampal neuronal excitability and LTP. Similar SK channel properties have been demonstrated in lateral amygdala (LA) pyramidal neurons. Additionally, induction of synaptic plasticity and beta-adrenoreceptor activation in LA pyramidal neurons causes PKA-mediated internalization of SK channels from the postsynaptic density. Chronic activation of the amygdala through repetitive stressful stimuli can lead to excitatory synaptic strengthening that may create permanent hyper-excitability in its circuitry. This mechanism may contribute to a number of mood and anxiety disorders. The selective influence of SK channels in the LA on anxiety and fear conditioning are not known. The thesis project outlined herein examined whether SK channel blockade by bee venom peptide, apamin, during a repetitive acute fear conditioning paradigm was sufficient to alter fear memory encoding and the resulting behavioral outcome. Following the final fear memory test session, mice were tested in the open field immediately after the second fear conditioning test session. The findings indicate that intracranial LA microinfusions of apamin did not affect memory encoding or subsequent anxiety.
Title: The effect of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels on emotional learning and memory.
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Name(s): Sanguinetti, Shannon, author
Stackman, Robert W., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Psychology
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2015
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 69 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels have been shown to alter the encoding of spatial and non-spatial memory in the hippocampus by shaping glutamatergic postsynaptic potentials and modulating NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity. When activated, dendritic SK channels reduce hippocampal neuronal excitability and LTP. Similar SK channel properties have been demonstrated in lateral amygdala (LA) pyramidal neurons. Additionally, induction of synaptic plasticity and beta-adrenoreceptor activation in LA pyramidal neurons causes PKA-mediated internalization of SK channels from the postsynaptic density. Chronic activation of the amygdala through repetitive stressful stimuli can lead to excitatory synaptic strengthening that may create permanent hyper-excitability in its circuitry. This mechanism may contribute to a number of mood and anxiety disorders. The selective influence of SK channels in the LA on anxiety and fear conditioning are not known. The thesis project outlined herein examined whether SK channel blockade by bee venom peptide, apamin, during a repetitive acute fear conditioning paradigm was sufficient to alter fear memory encoding and the resulting behavioral outcome. Following the final fear memory test session, mice were tested in the open field immediately after the second fear conditioning test session. The findings indicate that intracranial LA microinfusions of apamin did not affect memory encoding or subsequent anxiety.
Identifier: FA00004543 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Biological transport -- Research
Cellular signal transduction
Memory -- Research
Mice as laboratory animals
Potassium channels -- Physiological effect
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Links: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004543
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004543
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.