Emotional processing in animal models of enhanced fear and anxiety Prof. Dr. Nicolas Singewald Department of Pharmacology und Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center of Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck

The project investigates differences in behaviour, brain neuronal excitability and neurochemistry in mice with high (HAB) vs normal/low inborn anxiety and comorbid depression. Using functional staining methods and appropriate challenges, we will test the hypothesis that changes in neuronal processing and neurotransmitter function underlying the altered anxiety- and fear-related behavior in HABs will be found in specific parts of the fear/anxiety circuitry, and in particular in limbic brain areas including the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. It will then be explored how these aberrant activation patterns can be modulated by existing and experimental therapeutic drug treatments including antidepressants. A main hypothesis tested here is that high anxiety mice will show aberrations in GABA release and/or GABA receptor abundance or subunit composition.