Effects of extinction treatments on the reduction of conditioned responding and conditioned hyperarousal in a rabbit model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

摘要: We have previously characterized a model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on classical conditioning the rabbit nictitating membrane response (NMR), that focuses 2 key PTSD-like features: conditioned responses to trauma-associated cues and hyperarousal. In addition development NMRs (CRs) tone stimulus (CS) associated with periorbital shock unconditioned (US), we observed rabbits also exhibit conditioning-specific reflex modification (CRM) NMR manifests as an exaggerated more complex reflexive presentations US by itself, particularly intensities elicited little prior conditioning. Previous work has demonstrated unpaired CS are successful at extinguishing CRs CRM simultaneously, even when significantly weakened version is utilized. current study, additional extinction treatments were tested, including continued pairings exposure training context alone, these contrasted effects remaining in home cages no further treatment. Results showed only slightly decreased CRM, while had effect marginal reducing CRM. Unpaired was still most effective treatment for both. Findings discussed terms applications cognitive-behavioral therapies PTSD, such incorporating mild, innately stressful stimuli into virtual reality therapy.