Post-reexposure administration of D-cycloserine facilitates reconsolidation of contextual conditioned fear memory in rats

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2017 May;124(5):583-587. doi: 10.1007/s00702-017-1704-0. Epub 2017 Mar 8.

Abstract

The effect of D-cycloserine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor partial agonist, on the reconsolidation of conditioned fear memory is not precisely understood. In this study, we clarified the effects of D-cycloserine on the reconsolidation in rats, by performing contextual fear conditioning with a mild fear-conditioning procedure and with post-reexposure administration of the drug. The D-cycloserine (15 mg/kg subcutaneously)-treated rats showed a persistent and greater fear response during the test session compared with the control group. In conclusion, we have confirmed that post-reexposure administration of D-cycloserine facilitates the reconsolidation of fear memory in rats.

Keywords: Contextual fear conditioning; D-Cycloserine; Extinction; Midazolam; Reconsolidation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Classical / drug effects*
  • Cycloserine / administration & dosage*
  • Extinction, Psychological / drug effects
  • Fear / drug effects*
  • Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic / drug effects
  • Male
  • Memory Consolidation / drug effects*
  • Midazolam / administration & dosage
  • Nootropic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Nootropic Agents
  • Cycloserine
  • Midazolam