Two intra-amygdaloid pathways to the central amygdala exhibit different mechanisms of long-term potentiation.
Synaptic plasticity in the amygdala is thought to underlie aversive or rewarding learning and emotional memories. In this study, different mechanisms were found to underlie synaptic plasticity in lateral (LA) and basolateral (BLA) amygdala pathways to the primary output nucleus of the amygdala, the central amygdala (CeA). Specifically, 1) long-term potentiation (LTP) at the BLA-CeA synapses was independent of inhibition and mediated through N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), and 2) LTP in the LA-CeA pathway was gated by inhibition and mediated through VGCCs but not NMDARs.
Fu
Yu
Y
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1031, USA.
Shinnick-Gallagher
Patricia
P
D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D009553:Nimodipine; D010852:Picrotoxin; D014633:Valine; C056639:2-amino-5-phosphopentanoic acid