Professor Joung-hun Kim’s (LIFE) research team revealed the control mechanism of fear memory due to the synaptic plasticity and following actions that occur in the amygdaloid body. Results were announced in the neuroscience journal Neuron Online on Sep. 24.
The research team found that a mouse suffering posttraumatic stress disorder and a mouse injected with a chemical that suppresses the dopamine receptor expression show a strong fear reaction. A mouse removed the synaptic plasticity also shows this strong fear reaction. The research team discovered that they can reduce the strong fear reactions by activating the dopamine receptors that are causing the long term synaptic depression. Prof. Kim said, “The research revealed the relationship between PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and inhibitory neural circuit, and it will contribute to the development of medication for relevant disorders.”