AMPK and fear extinction

In my research of energy regulation I arrived to AMPK - a cellular regulator or a switch of energy production / consumption.

Since AMPK is involved into turning on and off fat oxidation and even glucose uptake by the cells, I questioned whether AMPK has been researched in connection to psychiatric disorders.

Quick search done. Unsurprisingly, AMPK dysregulation is indeed implicated in psychiatric dysfunctions.

Quote:

our study provides insight into the role of hippocampal AMPK in regulation of fear renewal and indicates that increasing activity of hippocampal AMPK can prevent fear renewal, thus enhancing the potency of exposure therapy. (R1)

Here, OCD and fear extinction is directly related to energy production, which is regulated by AMPK.

I suspect when AMPK can’t be activated properly or fast enough, neurons experience starvation and the brain can’t erase fears. Stimulation of AMPK, that leads to increase in energy production, does help to remove fears.