Researchers led by Dominique de Quervain of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, made the discovery by presenting Swiss volunteers with emotionally neutral, positive or negative images — such as a family laughing together or a picture of an accident.
noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
ADRA2B antibody (Western Blot)
Other researchers are already looking at whether memory formation can be altered by manipulating noradrenaline levels, a process that could lead to treatments for traumatic flashbacks. "It's interesting to see that there are already pharmaceutical approaches targeting this system," says de Quervain.
The Alpha 2b-Adrenergic Receptor controls the release of neurotransmitters from adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system, and from sympathetic nerves. This receptor mediates the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine.
A three amino-acid genetic polymorphic deletion in the protein results in a decrease of the basal metabolic rate compared to wildtype. Such polymorphism has been observed in 58 obese non-diabetic patients and may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity.