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Functional Analysis of the Neural Circuitry of Emotions
(VTC)
Alexei Morozov, PhD
Chief, Unit on Behavioral Genetics, NIMH, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
Amygdala is the emotional center of the brain. It integrates signals from many brain areas and triggers fear responses when incoming information predicts danger. How does amygdala recognize different types of information and generate appropriate output? We address this by investigating properties of functionally distinct amygdala inputs and by identifying their microcircuit targets. First, we will discuss properties and functions of the sensory inputs from thalamus and cortex; we will provide evidence that these two inputs may change their contribution in fear learning during late postnatal development. Second, we will describe a novel mechanism that maintains strong inhibition in the basolateral nucleus through selective suppression of sensory inputs to principal neurons but not to interneurons. Third, we will show that "the affective" input from the anterior cingulate cortex has unique properties, which distinguish it from the sensory inputs, and will discuss possible functional implications of this. Finally, we will propose that by analyzing communications between brain areas via specific neuronal connections in norm and pathological state one can address mental illness as a circuit disease.
Webcast: http://research.vtc.vt.edu/live-webcast/
Hosted by: Michael J. Friedlander, PhD, Executive Director, VTCRI
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