Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful method for exploring cognitive brain responses in humans, however much less work has been done using rodent fMRI in awake animals. Here we have developed a novel awake rat fMRI fear conditioning paradigm which activates neural circuitry involved in learned fear conditioning. Using this method we show temporal activation of the amygdala and related fear circuitry in response to a conditioned stimulus and demonstrate that the magnitude of fear-circuitry activation is increased in a rodent model of affective disorders based on early life stress. This technique provides a new translatable method for testing environmental, genetic and pharmacological manipulations on amygdale activation and emotional brain circuitry in awake rodent models.
Physiology 2012 (Edinburgh) (2012) Proc Physiol Soc 27, SA82
Research Symposium: Imaging fear systems using awake rodent fMRI
N. M. Brydges1, H. C. Whalley2, M. A. Jansen1,3, G. D. Merrifield3, E. R. Wood2, S. M. Lawrie2, S. Wynne3, M. Day4, S. Fleetwood-Walker2, J. Steele5, I. Marshall1,3, M. C. Holmes1,2, J. Hall1,2
1. Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 2. Edinburgh Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 3. Edinburgh Preclinical Imaging, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 4. Strategic Transactions Group, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Wallingford, Connecticut, United States. 5. Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.
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