Wiring and volume transmission in rat amygdala. Implications for fear and anxiety.
The amygdala plays a key role in anxiety. Information from the environment reaches the amygdaloid basolateral nucleus and after its processing is relayed to the amygdaloid central nucleus where a proper anxiogenic response is implemented. Experimental evidence indicates that in this information transfer a GABAergic interface controls the trafficking of impulses between the two nuclei. Recent work indicates that interneuronal communication can take place by classical synaptic transmission (wiring transmission) and by volume transmission in which the neurotransmitter diffuses and flows through the extracellular space from its site of release and binds to extrasynaptic receptors at various distances from the source. Based on evidence from our laboratory the concept is introduced that neurotransmitters in the amygdala can modulate anxiety involving changes in fear learning and memories by effects on receptor mosaics in the fear circuits through wiring and volume transmission modes of communication.
Pérez de la Mora
Miguel
M
Department of Biophysics, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-253, Mexico, DF, 04510, Mexico. mperez@ifc.unam.mx
Jacobsen
Kirsten X
KX
Crespo-Ramírez
Minerva
M
Flores-Gracia
Candy
C
Fuxe
Kjell
K
D000679:Amygdala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001007:Anxiety; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000378:metabolism; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D011725:Pyridines / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011725:Pyridines; C121465:6-methyl-2-(phenylethynyl)pyridine; D002766:Cholecystokinin