Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms have the potential to give rise to lasting changes in cell function that ultimately can affect behavior persistently. This concept is especially interesting with respect to fear reconsolidation and fear memory extinction. These two behavioral approaches are used in the laboratory to investigate how fear memory can be attenuated, which becomes important when searching for therapeutic intervention to treat anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Here we review the role of several key epigenetic mechanisms in reconsolidation and extinction of learned fear and their potential to persistently alter behavioral responses to conditioned cues. We also briefly discuss how epigenetic mechanisms may establish persistent behaviors that challenge our definitions of extinction and reconsolidation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 55-65 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Neurobiology of Learning and Memory |
Volume | 142 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2017 |
Keywords
- DNA methylation
- Epigenetics
- Extinction
- Histone acetylation
- Reconsolidation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience