Fear learning induces synaptic potentiation between engram neurons in the rat lateral amygdala.
Nat Neurosci
; 27(7): 1309-1317, 2024 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38871992
ABSTRACT
The lateral amygdala (LA) encodes fear memories by potentiating sensory inputs associated with threats and, in the process, recruits 10-30% of its neurons per fear memory engram. However, how the local network within the LA processes this information and whether it also plays a role in storing it are still largely unknown. Here, using ex vivo 12-patch-clamp and in vivo 32-electrode electrophysiological recordings in the LA of fear-conditioned rats, in combination with activity-dependent fluorescent and optogenetic tagging and recall, we identified a sparsely connected network between principal LA neurons that is organized in clusters. Fear conditioning specifically causes potentiation of synaptic connections between learning-recruited neurons. These findings of synaptic plasticity in an autoassociative excitatory network of the LA may suggest a basic principle through which a small number of pyramidal neurons could encode a large number of memories.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Fear
/
Basolateral Nuclear Complex
/
Neuronal Plasticity
/
Neurons
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Neurosci
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Suiza
Country of publication:
Estados Unidos