Source Paper
The Role of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in the Recovery of Extinguished Fear
Gregory J. Quirk, Gregory K. Russo, Jill L. Barron, Kelimer Lebron
Journal of Neuroscience • 2000
Electrolytic vmPFC Lesions
Objective: To assess the effects of electrolytic ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) lesions made before training on the acquisition, extinction, and recovery of conditioned fear responses
This is a Electrolytic vmPFC Lesions protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 2 equipment items. Extracted from a 2000 paper published in Journal of Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Electrolytic vmPFC Lesion Surgery • Day 1 - Acquisition and Extinction • Day 2 - Recovery Assessment
Primary readouts
- Acquisition of conditioned freezing
- Suppression of bar pressing during conditioning
- Extinction of conditioned freezing
- Recovery of conditioned fear responses after long delay
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Electrolytic vmPFC Lesion Surgery
Perform electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex before training begins
Note: Lesions made before training to assess effects on fear conditioning and extinction learning
View evidence from paper
“electrolytic vmPFC lesions made before training on the acquisition, extinction, and recovery of conditioned fear responses”
Day 1 - Acquisition and Extinction
On Day 1, conduct acquisition of conditioned freezing and suppression of bar pressing, followed by extinction training
Note: vmPFC lesions had no effect on acquisition or extinction on Day 1
View evidence from paper
“On Day 1 vmPFC lesions had no effect on acquisition or extinction of conditioned freezing and suppression of bar pressing”
Day 2 - Recovery Assessment
On Day 2, assess recovery of conditioned fear responses after a long delay following extinction training
Note: Sham rats recovered only 27% of acquired freezing, while vmPFC-lesioned rats recovered 86%
View evidence from paper
“On Day 2 sham rats recovered only 27% of their acquired freezing, whereas vmPFC-lesioned rats recovered 86%”