The proposed study is the continuation of a long-term investigation of the neuronal, neurochemical, hodological, and synaptic organization of the lateral and basolateral nuclei (ABL) of the rat amygdala. Anatomical studies of the sensory representation within the rat ABL will: 1) delineate the visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortical association pathways directed toward the amygdala; 2) determine the precise areas of termination in the amygdala of unimodal and polymodal cortical association areas as well as thalamic sensory nuclei; and 3) analyze intra-amygdaloid projections from modality-defined ABL domains in order to elucidate the anatomical substrates for sensory convergence. Studies of the chemical neuroanatomy of ABL will: 1) determine the neurotransmitters contained in the major efferent projections of ABL; 2) ascertain neurochemical coexistence patterns in neurons of ABL; 3) analyze the afferent regulation of transmitter levels in ABL neurons containing GABA and peptides; 4) examine the direct afferent innervation of ABL neurons containing GABA and peptides; and 5) determine the ABL cell types that alter gene expression in response to cortical activation. The techniques to accomplish these aims include: 1) the PHA-L anterograde tract tracing technique; 2) techniques that combine transmitter immunohistochemistry (IHC) with PHA-L tract tracing at the light and electron microscopic level; 3) a technique that combines transmitter IHC with HRP retrograde tract tracing; 4) double-antigen IHC; and 5) chemical stimulation and lesioning techniques. Clinical and experimental studies indicate that the amygdala is one of the major forebrain areas involved in emotion and memory. It exhibits significant neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease, is involved in temporal lobe epilepsy, and is one of the major sites of action of the GABA-related benzodiazepine drugs (Valium) and other psychopharmacological agents. The knowledge of the chemical microcircuitry of ABL gained from the proposed study will contribute to an understanding of the anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and pathophysiology of this important brain region.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01NS019733-07A1
Application #
3399828
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Project Start
1983-07-01
Project End
1994-02-28
Budget Start
1990-03-01
Budget End
1991-02-28
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
111310249
City
Columbia
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29208
McDonald, A J; Betette, R L (2001) Parvalbumin-containing neurons in the rat basolateral amygdala: morphology and co-localization of Calbindin-D(28k). Neuroscience 102:413-25
Shammah-Lagnado, S J; Beltramino, C A; McDonald, A J et al. (2000) Supracapsular bed nucleus of the stria terminalis contains central and medial extended amygdala elements: evidence from anterograde and retrograde tracing experiments in the rat. J Comp Neurol 422:533-55
McDonald, A J; Shammah-Lagnado, S J; Shi, C et al. (1999) Cortical afferents to the extended amygdala. Ann N Y Acad Sci 877:309-38
McDonald, A J (1998) Cortical pathways to the mammalian amygdala. Prog Neurobiol 55:257-332
McDonald, A J; Mascagni, F (1997) Projections of the lateral entorhinal cortex to the amygdala: a Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin study in the rat. Neuroscience 77:445-59
McDonald, A J (1997) Calbindin-D28k immunoreactivity in the rat amygdala. J Comp Neurol 383:231-44
McDonald, A J; Mascagni, F (1996) Immunohistochemical localization of the beta 2 and beta 3 subunits of the GABAA receptor in the basolateral amygdala of the rat and monkey. Neuroscience 75:407-19
Mcdonald, A J (1996) Glutamate and aspartate immunoreactive neurons of the rat basolateral amygdala: colocalization of excitatory amino acids and projections to the limbic circuit. J Comp Neurol 365:367-79
Mcdonald, A J; Mascagni, F (1996) Cortico-cortical and cortico-amygdaloid projections of the rat occipital cortex: a Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin study. Neuroscience 71:37-54
McDonald, A J (1996) Localization of AMPA glutamate receptor subunits in subpopulations of non-pyramidal neurons in the rat basolateral amygdala. Neurosci Lett 208:175-8

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