The proposed study is the continuation of a long-term investigation of the neuronal and synaptic organization of the basolateral amygdala (ABL). It will focus on the regulation of ABL interneurons by transmitter-specific neuromodulator systems.
Aim #1 will identify subpopulations of interneurons in the primate ABL on the basis of their content of peptides and calcium-binding proteins. These markers will be used to identify each subpopulation in Aims #2 and 3.
Aim #2 will use integrated anatomical/physiological experiments to determine if different interneuronal subpopulations exhibit distinct electrophysiological characteristics. In addition, ion channels responsible for some of these electrophysiological features will be localized using immunohistochemical techniques.
Aim #3 will analyze the innervation of ABL neuronal subpopulations by dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic afferents. It will also be determined using integrated anatomical-physiological/pharmacological methods if particular interneuronal subpopulations exhibit specific serotonin receptors.
Aim #4 will analyze the innervation of ABL intemeuronal subpopulations by cholinergic axons and determine which interneurons express nicotinic versus muscarinic cholinergic receptors. ? Additional anatomical studies in rodents will test the hypothesis that the ABL, like the neocortex and hippocampus, contains subsets of GABAergic neurons that receive inputs from, and provide outputs to, the GABAergic projection neurons of the basal forebrain. These proposed studies include the first comprehensive analysis of the electrophysiological properties of identified ABL interneuronal subpopulations in both rodent and primate brain slices. In addition, the modulation of key electrophysiological properties in these neurons by serotonin and serotonergic drugs will be investigated. These studies will contribute to an understanding of inhibitory mechanisms in the ABL and should be critical for the development of novel pharmacological treatments to modulate the activity of the ABL in epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS038998-06
Application #
6764020
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall R
Project Start
1999-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$318,035
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
111310249
City
Columbia
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29208
Mascagni, F; Muly, E C; Rainnie, D G et al. (2009) Immunohistochemical characterization of parvalbumin-containing interneurons in the monkey basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 158:1541-50
Muller, Jay F; Mascagni, Franco; McDonald, Alexander J (2009) Dopaminergic innervation of pyramidal cells in the rat basolateral amygdala. Brain Struct Funct 213:275-88
Mascagni, F; McDonald, A J (2009) Parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons and GABAergic neurons of the basal forebrain project to the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 160:805-12
Pinard, C R; Muller, J F; Mascagni, F et al. (2008) Dopaminergic innervation of interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 157:850-63
McDonald, A J; Mascagni, F (2007) Neuronal localization of 5-HT type 2A receptor immunoreactivity in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 146:306-20
Muller, Jay F; Mascagni, Franco; McDonald, Alexander J (2007) Serotonin-immunoreactive axon terminals innervate pyramidal cells and interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. J Comp Neurol 505:314-35
Mascagni, F; McDonald, A J (2007) A novel subpopulation of 5-HT type 3A receptor subunit immunoreactive interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 144:1015-24
Muller, Jay F; Mascagni, Franco; McDonald, Alexander J (2007) Postsynaptic targets of somatostatin-containing interneurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. J Comp Neurol 500:513-29
Muller, Jay F; Mascagni, Franco; McDonald, Alexander J (2006) Pyramidal cells of the rat basolateral amygdala: synaptology and innervation by parvalbumin-immunoreactive interneurons. J Comp Neurol 494:635-50
McDonald, A J; Mascagni, F (2006) Differential expression of Kv3.1b and Kv3.2 potassium channel subunits in interneurons of the basolateral amygdala. Neuroscience 138:537-47

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