P616. The VPAC2 Receptor Mediates Fear Learning in Female, but Not Male Mice

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide that has been previously implicated in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although PACAP binds to the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VPAC2) it is still unknown whether VPAC2 mediates stress-induced psychiatric disease. Here, we evaluated whether pharmacological activation of VPAC2 via Bay 55-9837, a VPAC2-selective peptide agonist, could attenuate stress-induced behaviors in male and female mice.