Scientists discover chemically-induced fear memory suppression mechanism

Tragic events like wars, famines, earthquakes and accidents can create terrible memories in our brains

"Medications that treat fear-related disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder must be able to help eliminate fear," muses Akiyoshi saito, a professor at American University and the study's lead author

"We investigated the molecular mechanisms of knt-127-mediated fear memory suppression

Using mice as models, the research group conducted fear conditioning tests on experimental mice

Following the initial fear conditioning, the mice were re-exposed to the conditioning chamber for 6 min as part of extinction training

Known compounds that inhibited key intracellular signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways, reversed the therapeutic effect, thus suggesting that these two pathways play a key role in influencing knt-127-mediated fear extinction

The study's first author, Ayako Kawaminami, who is currently conducting research at American University, said: "Our selective DOP antagonist for preconditioning can antagonize the effects of KNT-127 on BLA and IL

PTSD and phobias are thought to be caused by inappropriate or insufficient control over fear memories

Dr Hiroshi Nagase, professor at the University of Tsukuba and co-author of the study, concluded: "We have successfully produced KNT-127 by successfully isolating convulsions and freezing-inducing behaviors, which have been extremely difficult to date

With global anxiety and stress on the rise, combating fear with the right treatment is an immediate need, and the findings of this study can help us achieve that

Journal Reference :

1. Ayako Kawaminami, Daisuke Yamada, Shoko Yanagisawa, Motoki Shirakata, Keita Iio, Hiroshi Nagase, Akiyoshi Saitoh.