Loss of Extinction in CA1-NMDA Receptor deficient Mice. A novel model for PTSD?

Hippocampal NMDA receptors are involved in contextual fear learning. Here we report that a gene deletion of the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor, localized to CA1 neurons of the dorsal hippocampus via AAV-Cre injection in fNR1 mice, results in a selective loss of fear memory extinction, but not its acquisition. Furthermore, CA1-NMDA receptor deficient mice show enhanced anxiety and hyperactivity after fear conditioning. These symptoms are typical of anxiety disorders. A focal NMDA receptor loss was induced in CA1 neurons of the hippocampus via bilateral stereotaxic AAV-Cre injections. We confirmed the loss of NM…