W12 - Valence Coding in the Amygdala 1/2 Flashcards
What differentiates an affective module from an affective mode?
Affective module codes for a single affective function invariably of internal and external conditions
Affective mode codes for a different affective functions that vary under different but specific internal and external conditions
How can one experimentally differentiate whether a neurobiological structure is functioning as an affective module or an affective mode?
Conduct experiments that examine the affective function of the neurobiological structure across a range of conditions
Why are theories important in research?
Theories help to make these assumptions explicit and recognizing the distinction between assumptions that are supported by evidence vs those supported by convention leads to new experiments
What affective coding is the basolateral amygdala known to have?
Response to threat and reward
What adjective can describe the role of the BLA in the amygdala?
Integrative
What form of synaptic plasticity is thought to be involved in learning?
long term potentiation
Under which conditions is LTP occuring? How can its occurence be inferred?
LTP is induced when the pre-synaptic and post- synaptic neuron are repeatedly activated together + requires depolarization of the post- synaptic neuron
Can be observed in the increase in the size of the excitatory postsynaptic response -> more specifically changes in the AMPA:NMDA ratio
True or false: a decrease in the AMPA: NMDA ratio indicates increased synaptic strength.
False: an increased in the AMPA: NMDA ratio indicates increased synaptic strength.
BLA-NAc projections are implicated in ____ and BLA-CeM projections are implicated in ____
BLA-NAc projections are implicated in reward and BLA-CeM projections are implicated in fear learning
What is the utility of retrobeads?
Mapping projections retrogradely
What does Namburi et al. find about NAc and CeM and their respective change in synaptic strength following associative learning (reward or fear)? Where are the authors looking for for synaptic strength?
NAc and CeM projectors undergo opposing changes in synaptic strength following fear and reward
Synaptic strength is measured in the postsynaptic neuron = BLA
What happens if NAc and CeM projectors are photostimulated in the BLA?
Causing positive and negative reinforcement, respectively
What happens if NAc and CeM projectors are photoinhibited in the BLA?
Photoinhibition of CeM projectors impairs fear learning and enhances reward learning
Photoinhibition of CeM projectors impairs fear learning and enhances reward learning
What are the defining features of NAc and CeM projector populations that might allow them to encode opposing valence associations?
Different electrophysiological, morphological, and transcriptional profiles, but nothing drastically different
True or false: NAc and CeM projectors are spatially segregated in the BLA.
False: they are intermingled.
