Journal article
Lesions in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala: Discriminative Avoidance Learning, Discriminative Approach Learning, and Cingulothalamic Training-Induced Neuronal Activity
Neurobiology of learning and memory, Vol.76(3), pp.403-425
11/2001
DOI: 10.1006/nlme.2001.4019
PMID: 11726245
Abstract
The amygdala is critically involved in discriminative avoidance learning. Large lesions of the amygdala block discriminative avoidance learning and abolish cingulothalamic training-induced neuronal activity. These results indicated that amygdalar processing is critical for cingulothalamic plasticity. The larger lesions did not allow differentiation of the specific functioning of various amygdalar nuclei. Anatomical analysis showed that damage in the central (CE) nucleus of the amygdala was correlated with the severity of the behavioral deficit. The present study was carried out to determine whether smaller lesions, centered in the CE nucleus, would impair discriminative avoidance learning and block cingulothalamic plasticity. In addition, the possible role of the CE nucleus in appetitively motivated discriminative approach learning was examined for the first time. New Zealand White rabbits with CE nuclear lesions were first trained in the discriminative approach task. After attaining asymptotic performance, discriminative avoidance training sessions were alternated with continuing approach training sessions, one session each day. The rabbits with lesions were severely impaired in avoidance learning but showed no impairment of approach learning. Surprisingly, the attenuating effects of the lesions on cingulothalamic training-induced neuronal activity were more prevalent during approach learning than during avoidance learning. These results indicated that avoidance learning can be impaired by lesions centered in the CE nucleus that leave cingulothalamic plasticity largely intact and that the CE nucleus is involved in extra-cingulothalamic learning processes.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Lesions in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala: Discriminative Avoidance Learning, Discriminative Approach Learning, and Cingulothalamic Training-Induced Neuronal Activity
- Creators
- David M Smith - Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801Jessel Monteverde - University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801Edric Schwartz - University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61801John H Freeman - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242Michael Gabriel - Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Beckman Institute Neuronal Pattern Analysis Group, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61821
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Neurobiology of learning and memory, Vol.76(3), pp.403-425
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1006/nlme.2001.4019
- PMID
- 11726245
- ISSN
- 1074-7427
- eISSN
- 1095-9564
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2001
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984065755602771
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