Fig. 2

Optogenetic inhibition of the ACC during priming eliminates catastrophizing-like behavior. A Injection of AAV1.CaMKIIa.eNpHR.3.0.EYFP or AAV1.CaMKIIa.eYFP virus and optic fiber implantation into the ACC. B Behavioral assay of eNpHR and eYFP rats. Rats received yellow light treatment to the ACC during priming, while PP were delivered. No light was delivered during conditioning, where one chamber was paired with vF while the other chamber was paired with no stimulus (NS). C After yellow light treatment to the ACC during priming, eNpHR rats no longer showed an aversion to the vF chamber (p = 0.0766, paired t test; n = 6 animals) (Preconditioning NS: 295.9 ± 28.15, Preconditioning vF: 304.2 ± 28.15, Testing NS: 227.7 ± 47.24, Testing vF: 372.3 ± 47.24). D After yellow light treatment to the ACC during priming, eYFP rats still demonstrated an aversion to the vF chamber (*p < 0.05, paired t test; n = 6 animals) (Preconditioning NS: 281.6 ± 35.51, Preconditioning vF: 313.4 ± 37.57, Testing NS: 452.8 ± 33.58, Testing vF: 147.2 ± 33.58). E Yellow light treatment during priming reduced eNpHR rats’ aversion to the vF stimulus, relative to no light treatment (***p = 0.0001, paired t test; n = 6 animals) (No Light: 245.5 ± 18.73, Yellow Light: -68.17 ± 30.63). F Yellow light treatment during priming did not reduce eYFP rats’ aversion to the vF stimulus, compared to no light treatment (p = 0.7889, paired t test; n = 6 animals) (No Light: 146.6 ± 49.03, Yellow Light: 166.2 ± 44.27). Data are represented as mean ± SEM