Asymmetrical synaptic cooperation between cortical and thalamic inputs to the amygdale

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013 Dec;38(13):2675-87. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.178. Epub 2013 Jul 25.

Abstract

Fear conditioning, a form of associative learning is thought to involve the induction of an associative long-term potentiation of cortical and thalamic inputs to the lateral amygdala. Here, we show that stimulation of the thalamic input can reinforce a transient form of plasticity (E-LTP) induced by weak stimulation of the cortical inputs. This synaptic cooperation occurs within a time window of 30 min, suggesting that synaptic integration at amygdala synapses can occur within large time windows. Interestingly, we found that synaptic cooperation is not symmetrical. Reinforcement of a thalamic E-LTP by subsequent cortical stimulation is only observed within a shorter time window. We found that activation of endocannabinoid CB1 receptors is involved in the time restriction of thalamic and cortical synaptic cooperation in an activity-dependent manner. Our results support the hypothesis that synaptic cooperation can underlie associative learning and that synaptic tagging and capture is a general mechanism in synaptic plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Rats
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Thalamus / cytology*
  • Thalamus / physiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
  • Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus