Fear learning induces synaptic potentiation between engram neurons in the rat lateral amygdala.

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 au

SUBMITTER: Abatis M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11239494 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature