Search results for "Central nucleus of the amygdala"

2018

Projections from the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) into the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) show a very complex pattern. After injection of an anterograde tracer (Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin – PHAL) into several parts of the CEA, we observed that projections converged onto the caudal lateral LHA but provided distinct patterns in rostral tuberal regions. These projections were compared to that of neurons containing the peptides ‘melanin-concentrating hormone’ (MCH) or hypocretin (Hcrt). Because the distribution of these neurons is stereotyped, it was possible to characterize distinct divisions into the LHA. Some of them in the rostral tuberal LHA (the dorsal (LHAd) and suprafo…

The Role of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Disruption of the Physiological Function in Discrete Areas of the Central Nervous System

2017

: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse is often associated with a wide spectrum of adverse effects. These drugs are frequently abused by adolescents and athletes for esthetic purposes, as well as for improvement of their endurance and performances. In this literature review, we evaluated the correlation between AAS and anxiety or aggression. Two pathways are thought to be involved in AAS-induced behavioral disorders. Direct pathway via the amygdalo-fugal pathway, which connects the central nucleus of the amygdala to the brainstem, is involved in cognitive-emotive and homeostatic processes. The latter is modified by chronic AAS use, which subsequently leads to increased anxiety. Indirect…

Neural oscillations in the infralimbic cortex after electrical stimulation of the amygdala. Relevance to acute stress processing

2017

The stress system coordinates the adaptive reactions of the organism to stressors. Therefore, dysfunctions in this circuit may correlate to anxiety-related disorders, including depression. Comprehending the dynamics of this network may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these diseases. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and brainstem nodes by triggering endocrine, autonomic and behavioral stress responses. The medial prefrontal cortex plays a significant role in regulating reactions to stressors, and is specifically important for limiting fear responses. Brain oscillations reflect neural systems activity. S…

c-fos expression, behavioural, endocrine and autonomic responses to acute social stress in male rats after chronic restraint: modulation by serotonin

2000

The effects in male rats of serotonin depletion (using the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine) on the cross-sensitization of an acute social stress (defeat by a larger resident male) by previous repeated restraint stress (10 days, 60 min per day) was studied. Previous restraint increased freezing responses during social defeat in sham-operated rats, but this was not observed in those with depleted serotonin (83% or more in different regions of the brain). In contrast, neither heart rate (tachycardia) nor core temperature responses (hyperthermia) were accentuated in previously restrained rats (i.e. neither showed heterotypical sensitization), and neither adapted to repeated restraint (there …

Short-term adaptation of conditioned fear responses through endocannabinoid signaling in the central amygdala

2010

International audience; Both, the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) are known to play crucial roles in the processing of fear and anxiety, whereby they appear to be especially involved in the control of fear states. However, in contrast to many other brain regions including the cortical subregions of the amygdala, the existence of CB1 in the CeA remains enigmatic. Here we show that CB1 is expressed in the CeA of mice and that CB1 in the CeA mediates short-term synaptic plasticity, namely depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE) and inhibition (DSI). Moreover, the CB1 antagonist AM251 increased both excitatory and inhibitory postsyn…

A basal ganglia-like cortical-amygdalar-hypothalamic network mediates feeding behavior.

2020

International audience; The network connecting the insular cortex, the central nucleus of the amygdala, and a caudal hypothalamic nuclear complex including the parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN) is of interest due to its role in controlling feeding behavior. Here, we show that the organization of this network is similar to that of the basal ganglia network, implying that both fit within a simplified structural plan of the forebrain. Then, we demonstrate that the PSTN complex modulates behavior in response to hedonic factors normally inducing a “reward effect.” The PSTN complex is involved in a “non-feed” response equivalent of a “non-reward” evaluation: “I don’t want to consume this food, recog…