Genetically- and spatially-defined basolateral amygdala neurons control food consumption and social interaction

Lim, Hansol (2024): Genetically- and spatially-defined basolateral amygdala neurons control food consumption and social interaction. Dissertation, LMU München: Faculty of Biology

Abstract

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) contains discrete neuronal circuits that integrate positive or negative emotional information and drive the appropriate innate and adaptive behavior. Whether these circuits consist of genetically-identifiable and anatomically segregated neuron types, is currently debated. Also, our understanding of the response patterns and behavioral spectra of genetically-identifiable BLA neurons is limited. Here, we classified 11 glutamatergic BLA cell types and their spatial distribution. Several clusters were enriched in lateral versus basal amygdala, others were enriched in either anterior or posterior regions of the BLA. We further found that two BLA subpopulations innately responded to valence-specific stimuli, whereas one represented both aversive and social cues. Positive-valence BLA neurons promoted normal feeding, while mixed selectivity neurons promoted fear learning and social interactions. These findings enhance our understanding of cell type diversity and spatial organization of the BLA and the role of distinct BLA populations in representing valence-specific and mixed stimuli.

• Item Type: Theses (Dissertation, LMU Munich)
• Keywords: Neuronal circuit, Amygdala, Feeding behavior, transcriptomics, neuronal imaging
• Subjects: 500 Natural sciences and mathematics; 500 Natural sciences and mathematics > 570 Life sciences
• Faculties: Faculty of Biology
• Language: English
• Date of oral examination: 3. May 2024
• 1. Referee: Klein, Rüdiger
• Signature of the printed copy: 0001/UMC 30403