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Endogenous Glucocorticoids in Traumatic Memory Extinction: Implications for PTSD

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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Abstract

Research on the physiological basis of PTSD has focused on the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, which releases hormones (glucocorticoids) that have profound effects on learning and memory in both health and disease. Due to ethical and practical limitations, research has focused on animal models of PTSD symptoms to understand the neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying the disorder. In this chapter, we discuss two animal models (fear conditioning and predator stress) which represent core symptoms of PTSD and review evidence suggesting that glucocorticoids facilitate extinction (learning of a less aversive stimulus–response relationship) of persistent fear memories and hyperarousal. The actions of glucocorticoids are discussed in the context of the neural circuitry underlying extinction.

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Abbreviations

BLA:

Basolateral amygdala

CR:

Conditioned response

CS:

Conditioned stimulus

GR:

Glucocorticoid receptors

HPA axis:

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis

mPFC:

Medial prefrontal cortex

MR:

Mineralocorticoid receptors

PTSD:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

US:

Unconditioned stimulus

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave., St. John’s, NF, A1B 3X9, Canada

    Catherine Lau, Jesse D. Whiteman & Jacqueline J. Blundell

Authors
  1. Catherine Lau
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  2. Jesse D. Whiteman
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  3. Jacqueline J. Blundell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacqueline J. Blundell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. FactyofLifeSci&Med,Diabts&NutrnSciRshDiv, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. DepartofBiomedicalSci,SchoolofLifeScienc, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Lau, C., Whiteman, J.D., Blundell, J.J. (2016). Endogenous Glucocorticoids in Traumatic Memory Extinction: Implications for PTSD. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_25

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