Enhanced amygdala kindling after electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area: implications for fear and anxiety.
Electrical kindling refers to the seizure-generating properties of brain stimulation. In addition to producing epilepsy, the reorganization of forebrain neurocircuitry associated with kindling contributes to psychiatric disturbances involving fear and anxiety. The amygdala is a limbic structure that kindles readily and regulates the complex neurocircuitry underlying emotional responding. Dopamine-containing ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons, known to be activated by threatening environmental stimuli, are an important component of the amygdala-based fear network. Using amygdala kindling as an indicator of sensitization development, we report here that repeated low-current, high-frequency stimulation of the VTA provoked afterdischarge in the central amygdala and enhanced kindling rate. By establishing a fundamental link between VTA activation and neural excitability in the central amygdala, the present results are consistent with the possibility of a common process underlying epileptogenisis and the fear motivational consequences of amygdala and VTA kindling. Considering the established role of the VTA and the amygdala in emotional responding, such a sensitization mechanism might mediate exaggerated fearfulness.
Gelowitz
D L
DL
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267-0559, USA.
Kokkinidis
L
L
D000679:Amygdala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017557:Ventral Tegmental Area / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*