GABA in the medial prefrontal cortex regulates anxiety-like behavior during the postpartum period.

GABA in the medial prefrontal cortex regulates anxiety-like behavior during the postpartum period.
Behav Brain Res. 2020 Oct 16;:112967
Authors: Sabihi S, Goodpaster C, Maurer S, Leuner B
Abstract
The postpartum period is commonly accompanied by emotional changes, which for many new mothers includes a reduction in anxiety. Previous research in rodents has shown that the postpartum attenuation in anxiety is dependent on offspring contact and has further implicated enhanced GABAergic neurotransmission as an underlying mechanism. However, the specific brain regions where GABA acts to regulate the offspring-induced reduction in postpartum anxiety requires further investigation. Here, we test the hypothesis that offspring interactions suppress anxiety-like behavior in postpartum females via GABA signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our results show a postpartum reduction in anxiety-like behavior, an effect which was abolished by localized infusion of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline in the mPFC. We also show that activation of GABAA receptors in the mPFC by the agonist muscimol was effective in restoring anxiolyisis in mothers separated from their pups. Lastly, we show that heightened anxiety-like behavior in pup-separated mothers was accompanied by a lower number and percentage of activated GABAergic neurons within the mPFC. Together, these results suggest that mother-offspring interactions reduce anxiety in postpar...

Source: Behavioural Brain Research - October 16, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Sabihi S, Goodpaster C, Maurer S, Leuner B Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research