193. Role of FAAH C385A and BDNF Val66Met Genetic Polymorphisms in Fear Generalization and Anxiety Like-Behaviors

Common human single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are associated with changes in anxiety, mood, and cognition. One SNP in the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, BDNF Val66Met (rs6265), increases anxiety-like behaviors and impairs learning, while another SNP in the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene, FAAH C385A (rs324420), leads to the opposite effect. It is unclear how these two SNPs function together to modulate anxiety-based behaviors. We used genetic and pharmacological modulations to investigate the interplay of these two systems on fear generalization and anxiety-like behaviors.