Chemogenetic Modulation Of Histaminergic Neurons: Impact On Fear Memory Consolidation And Extinction

Organisation / Company : Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino (NEUROFARBA), Università di Firenze Research Field : Pharmacological sciences » Clinical pharmacology Researcher Profile : Recognised Researcher (R2), Leading Researcher (R4), First Stage Researcher (R1), Established Researcher (R3) Country : Italy Application Deadline : 22 Jan 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract : To be defined Job Status : Not Applicable Funding : Not funded by a EU programme Job Description : Several studies unequivocally demonstrated the central role of the brain HA system in cognition through genetic or pharmacological approaches. However, their inherent limitations restrict the ability to understand the role of endogenous HA transmission in these processes. Therefore, this study will employ chemogenetic technology aiming at determining the role of endogenous HA on aversive memory consolidation and extinction. To achieve this goal, anterograde and retrograde viral vectors carrying the inhibitory (hM4Di) or excitatory (hM3Dq) DREADDs will be injected in the TMN of HDC-Cre mice to specifically target HA neurons. After a recovery period and optimal viral expression, animals will receive systemic injections of the specific DREADDs activator clozapine-N-oxide, and their behavior will be assessed in the contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Requirements : Eligibility criteria : Country : Italy Eligibility of fellows : country / ies of residence : OTHER Eligibility of fellows : nationality / ies : J-18808-Ljbffr J-18808-Ljbffr