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PAC1 Expressing Neurons in the Retrosplenial Cortex
Ehnstrom, Keely Rose
Ehnstrom, Keely Rose
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Abstract
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) afflicts many people across the United States, however there is still not a standard beneficial treatment. This experiment aimed to better comprehend the neurobiology of the disorder and add to the growing research on what can be done. People with PTSD often struggle to differentiate between safe and threatening environments. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) of the brain helps to discern environmental contexts and was studied for this experiment. Five mice were injected with a MCherry virus in the RSC to determine whether cells that create PAC1 receptors were expressed. PAC1 receptors bind with pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) which are associated with stress disorders. Research shows that greater expression of PACAP and its corresponding receptor, PAC1, have induced anxiety-like behaviors which indicates why this peptide was analyzed along with previous links to PTSD. This specific study has limited research but based on prior findings it is expected that the RSC is involved in context and therefore related to PTSD associated levels of PACAP. The results showed expression of cells that create PAC1 receptors in the RSC which conclude further implications in PTSD and inspires future research regarding disproportionate sex differences.
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Date
2025-01-01