Genetically identified amygdala-striatal circuits for valence-specific behaviors.

ABSTRACT: The basolateral amygdala (BLA) plays essential roles in behaviors motivated by stimuli with either positive or negative valence, but how it processes motivationally opposing information and participates in establishing valence-specific behaviors remains unclear. Here, by targeting Fezf2-expressing neurons in the BLA, we identify and characterize two functionally distinct classes in behaving mice, the negative-valence neurons and positive-valence neurons, which innately represent aversive and rewarding stimuli, respectively, and through learning acquire predictive responses that are essential for punishment avoidance or reward seeking. Notably, these two classes of neurons receive inputs from separate sets of sensory and limbic areas, and convey punishment and reward information through pro

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8556347 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature