Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices
Published on: April 5, 2016
Cholecystokinin excites interneurons in rat basolateral amygdala
1Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Research Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Neurology Research Building 16, Room 25, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
Abstract:
The amygdala formation is implicated in generation of emotional states such as anxiety and fear. Many substances that modulate neuronal activity in the amygdala alter anxiety. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an endogenous neuropeptide that induces anxiety states in behavioral studies in both animals and humans. Using a brain slice preparation, we found that application of CCK increases inhibitory synaptic transmission measured in projection neurons of the basolateral amygdala. To determine the source of the increased inhibition we examined the direct effect of CCK on local interneurons in this region. CCK most strongly depolarized fast-spiking interneurons. Burst-firing and regular-firing interneurons were also depolarized, although to a lesser degree. However, another distinct group of interneurons was unaffected by CCK. These effects were mediated by the CCKB receptor subtype. The excitatory effect of CCK appeared to be mediated by both a nonselective cation and a K+ current.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Neural Regulation
Intestinal Phase of Digestion
The arrival of the chyme in the small intestine distends the duodenum, which triggers the enterogastric reflex. This distension...
Hormonal Regulation
Regulation of Food Intake
Role of Amygdala in Memory
One of the...
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System

