Functionally refined encoding of threat memory by distinct populations of basal forebrain cholinergic projection neurons

Abstract

Neurons of the basal forebrain nucleus basalis and posterior substantia innominata (NBM/SI_p) comprise the major source of cholinergic input to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Using a genetically-encoded acetylcholine (ACh) sensor in mice, we demonstrate that BLA-projecting cholinergic neurons can "learn" the association between a naïve tone and a foot shock (training) and release ACh in the BLA in response to the conditioned tone 24h later (recall). In the NBM/SI_p cholinergic neurons express the immediate early gene, Fos following both training and memory recall. Cholinergic neurons that express Fos following memory recall display increased intrinsic excitability. Chemogenetic silencing of these learning-activated cholinergic neurons prevents expression of the defensive behavior to the tone. In contrast, we show that NBM/SI_p cholinergic neurons are not activated by an innately threatening stimulus (predator odor). Instead, VP/SI_a cholinergic neurons are activated and contribute to defensive behaviors in response to predator odor, an innately threatening stimulus. Taken together, we find that distinct populations of cholinergic neurons are recruited to signal distinct aversive stimuli, demonstrating functionally refined organization of specific types of memory within the cholinergic basal forebrain of mice.

Keywords: BLA; acetylcholine; amygdala; anxiety; basal forebrain; cholinergic; fear; modulation; nucleus basalis; substantia innominata; ventral pallidum.