Medial amygdala lesions differentially influence stress responsivity and sensorimotor gating in rats.
BACKGROUND
The amygdala is involved in the coordination of stress but is also an important gatekeeper involved in the regulation of vigilance. The amygdala is structurally complex, consisting of several nuclei with specific functions in the affective response to environmental stimuli. There are indications that the medial amygdaloid nucleus may be a pivotal player in acute responses to emotional environmental stimuli.


METHODS
The present study therefore aimed to study the effects of bilateral electrolytic lesions of the medial amygdala on unconditioned anxiety-related behavior as well as a sensorimotor gating parameter (prepulse inhibition, PPI) in rats. Anxiety-related behavior was assessed with the use of stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH), light-enhanced startle (LES) and open field behavior.


RESULTS
Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the medial amygdala decreased the SIH response and anxiety-related open field behavior. In contrast, lesioned animals displayed augmented LES and disrupted PPI. No changes in basal locomotor activity, body temperature and acoustic startle were found between lesioned and sham animals.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that the medial amygdala is an important player in response to acute environmental stimuli. Decreased unconditioned psychological stress responses were found, whereas LES was enhanced and sensorimotor processing was disrupted. However, considering the existing data on basolateral amygdala involvement in PPI and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis involvement in LES, local infusion studies into the MeA should be performed to further substantiate these findings.
Vinkers
Christiaan H
CH
Department of Psychopharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neurosciences, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584CA Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.h.vinkers@uu.nl
Bijlsma
Elisabeth Y
EY
Houtepen
Lotte C
LC
Westphal
Koen G C
KG
Veening
Jan G
JG
Groenink
Lucianne
L
Olivier
Berend
B
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000523:psychology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005334:Fever / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*