Epigenetic mechanisms regulating sex differences in fear-related learning and memory (2010-2014)
Abstract
The overarching hypothesis of this proposal is that there are unique molecular mechanisms, which contribute to sex differences in learning and memory. The main aim is to determine how sexual-specific epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the formation and maintenance of long-term fear memories and to the extinction of conditioned fear. This will be accomplished by using a combination of state-of-the-art molecular techniques, genetics, pharmacology, viral-mediated gene transfer and well-established behavioural paradigms. These studies will bring us closer to understanding the role of the epigenome in mediating sex differences in fear-related learning and memory, and how they participate in anxiety disorders.
