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Amygdala-Midbrain Connections Modulate Appetitive and Aversive Learning.
- Source :
-
Neuron [Neuron] 2020 Jun 17; Vol. 106 (6), pp. 1026-1043.e9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Apr 14. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- The central amygdala (CeA) orchestrates adaptive responses to emotional events. While CeA substrates for defensive behaviors have been studied extensively, CeA circuits for appetitive behaviors and their relationship to threat-responsive circuits remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the CeA sends robust inhibitory projections to the lateral substantia nigra (SNL) that contribute to appetitive and aversive learning in mice. CeA→SNL neural responses to appetitive and aversive stimuli were modulated by expectation and magnitude consistent with a population-level salience signal, which was required for Pavlovian conditioned reward-seeking and defensive behaviors. CeA→SNL terminal activation elicited reinforcement when linked to voluntary actions but failed to support Pavlovian associations that rely on incentive value signals. Consistent with a disinhibitory mechanism, CeA inputs preferentially target SNL GABA neurons, and CeA→SNL and SNL dopamine neurons respond similarly to salient stimuli. Collectively, our results suggest that amygdala-nigra interactions represent a previously unappreciated mechanism for influencing emotional behaviors.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests The authors declare no competing interests.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Conditioning, Classical physiology
Emotions
Mice
Neural Pathways
Reinforcement, Psychology
Reward
Substantia Nigra cytology
Appetitive Behavior physiology
Avoidance Learning physiology
Central Amygdaloid Nucleus physiology
Dopaminergic Neurons physiology
GABAergic Neurons physiology
Substantia Nigra physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1097-4199
- Volume :
- 106
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neuron
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32294466
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.03.016