GABAergic antagonism of the central nucleus of the amygdala attenuates reductions in rapid eye movement sleep after inescapable footshock stress

The results suggest that the effects of IS on REM may involve local GABAergic inhibition in CNA and activation of LC.

IS preceded by control or MUS microinjections selectively reduced REM and increased Fos expression in LC. By comparison, microinjection of BIC into CNA prior to IS attenuated both the reduction in REM and Fos expression in LC to levels seen in non-shocked controls. Conclusions: The results suggest that the effects of IS on REM may involve local GABAergic inhibition in CNA and activation of LC.