In vivo fiber photometry revealed that these neurons are selectively excited by the unconditioned stimulus (US) during fear conditioning. Notably, chronic inhibition of GPe-projecting CeA neurons with the tetanus toxin light chain (TeLC) completely blocks auditory fear conditioning.
By anatomic tracing, in situ hybridization and channelrhodopsin (ChR2)-assisted circuit mapping in both male and female mice, we found that a subset of CeA neurons send projections to the GPe, and the majority of these GPe-projecting CeA neurons express the neuropeptide somatostatin. Here, we report that a previously neglected CeA-to-globus pallidus external segment (GPe) circuit plays an essential role in classical fear conditioning. Neurons in the CeA send long-range projections to a number of extra-amygdala targets, but the functions of these projections remain elusive. The central amygdala (CeA) is critically involved in a range of adaptive behaviors, including defensive behaviors.
0 kommentar(er)
