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Fear-conditioning to Unpredictable Threats Reveals Sex Differences in Rat Fear-potentiated Startle (FPS)

Overview
Journal bioRxiv
Date 2023 Mar 22
PMID 36945466
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Abstract

Highlights: Male and female rats have comparable startle amplitudes when corrected for body weightFemale rats show higher foot-shock reactivity than males during fear-conditioningFemale rats show reduced fear discrimination vs. males in the classic FPSReversed signal-threat order increases contextual fear in both sexesExposure to unpredictable threats increases startle in general and contextual fear only in females.

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