An Amygdala Circuit Mediates Experience-Dependent Momentary Arrests during Exploration.

ABSTRACT: Exploration of novel environments ensures survival and evolutionary fitness. It is expressed through exploratory bouts and arrests that change dynamically based on experience. Neural circuits mediating exploratory behavior should therefore integrate experience and use it to select the proper behavioral output. Using a spatial exploration assay, we uncovered an experience-dependent increase in momentary arrests in locations where animals arrested previously. Calcium imaging in freely exploring mice revealed a genetically and projection-defined neuronal ensemble in the basolateral amygdala that is active during self-paced behavioral arrests. This ensemble was recruited in an experience-dependent manner, and closed-loop optogenetic manipulation of these neurons revealed that they are sufficie

SUBMITTER: Botta P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8276519 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature