The basolateral amygdala complex and perirhinal cortex represent focal and peripheral states of information processing in rats.

ABSTRACT: We previously identified the roles of the basolateral amygdala complex (BLA) and perirhinal cortex (PRh) in sensory preconditioning in male and female rats (Wong et al., 2025). Here, we used variations of a sensory preconditioning protocol to test a general theory that the BLA and PRh represent focal and peripheral states of attention, respectively. We specifically tested predictions derived from the theory regarding when learning about a stimulus that signals danger will be disrupted by BLA or PRh infusions of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, DAP5. Consistent with the theory, the effects of these infusions depended on the novelty/familiarity of the conditioned stimulus, as well as the manner in which it was paired with foot shock. When a stimulus was novel, its

SUBMITTER: Wong FS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916098 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature