Rapid associative encoding in basolateral amygdala depends on connections with orbitofrontal cortex. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Certain goal-directed behaviors depend upon interactions between basolateral amygdala (ABL) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Here we describe neurophysiological evidence of this cooperative function. We recorded from ABL in intact and OFC-lesioned rats during learning of odor discrimination problems and reversals. During learning, rats with ipsilateral OFC lesions exhibited a marked decline in the proportion of ABL neurons that fired differentially during cue sampling both before and after reversal and in the proportion of neurons that reversed odor preference when the odor-outcome associations were reversed. This decline appeared to reflect a loss of rapid flexibility in cue selectivity that characterized activity in intact rats. In addition, lesioned rats had fewer neurons that fired in anticipation of the predicted outcome during a delay period after responding but before outcome delivery. These findings support a role for OFC in facilitating the encoding of information about expected outcomes in ABL.

publication date

  • April 21, 2005

has restriction

  • hybrid

Date in CU Experts

  • October 4, 2013 2:43 AM

Full Author List

  • Saddoris MP; Gallagher M; Schoenbaum G

author count

  • 3

published in

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0896-6273

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 321

end page

  • 331

volume

  • 46

issue

  • 2