Electrophysiological analysis of the interaction between the lateral septum and the central nucleus of the amygdala.
Evidence suggests that the lateral septum (LS) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) play opposing roles in the modulation of fear and anxiety. The current study examined the interaction of the two structures in the albino rat by electrically stimulating each and recording single-unit activity in the other. In each case, electrical stimulation consisted of 50 trains of 5 pulses 800μA in amplitude, 0.1ms in duration with a .01s interval between pulses. Electrical stimulation of LS had a predominant inhibitory effect upon cells in CeA. Contrariwise, stimulation of CeA had a predominant excitatory effect on cells in LS. The results of the study suggest a possible regulatory, negative feedback model of the interaction between LS and CeA.
Department of Psychology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, United States. ethomas@brynmawr.edu
Earl
E
Thomas
Melissa
M
Dewolfe
Feyza
F
Sancar
Nisha
N
Todi
Elna
E
Yadin
D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020665:Septum of Brain / Q000502:physiology*