Connections of the Mouse Orbitofrontal Cortex and Regulation of Goal-Directed Action Selection by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Distinguishing between actions that are more likely or less likely to be rewarded is a critical aspect of goal-directed decision making. However, neuroanatomic and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.

Methods

We used anterograde tracing, viral-mediated gene silencing, functional disconnection strategies, pharmacologic rescue, and designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) to determine the anatomic and functional connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and the amygdala in mice. In particular, we knocked down brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) bilaterally in the OFC or generated an OFC-amygdala "disconnection" by pairing unilateral OFC Bdnf knockdown with lesions of the contralateral amygdala. We characterized de

SUBMITTER: Zimmermann KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4871791 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature