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Central but not basolateral amygdala mediates memory for positive affective experiences
R P Kesner1, R D Walser, G Winzenried
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Behavioural Brain Research
|June 1, 1989
Summary
The central amygdala, not the basolateral amygdala, is crucial for remembering reward magnitude. Lesions to the central amygdala impaired rats' ability to recall larger food rewards after delays.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The amygdala plays a role in processing emotions and memory.
- Understanding the amygdala's specific functions in reward memory is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the central amygdala and basolateral amygdala in memory for reward magnitude.
- To determine if these amygdala subregions are involved in coding positive affective experiences related to reinforcement.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained on an 8-arm radial maze task requiring memory for reward magnitude (1 vs. 7 food pieces).
- Following training, rats received lesions to either the basolateral or central amygdala.
- Post-surgery, rats were tested at varying delay intervals (5 s, 5 min, 15 min) to assess memory retention.
Main Results:
- Rats with basolateral amygdala lesions showed no memory deficits at any delay.
- Rats with central amygdala lesions exhibited significant memory deficits at 5-min and 15-min delays, but not at the 5-s delay.
- This suggests a time-dependent role for the central amygdala in reward memory.
Conclusions:
- The central amygdala, but not the basolateral amygdala, is critical for maintaining memory of reward magnitude over longer delays.
- These findings support the hypothesis that the central amygdala is involved in coding positive affect associated with reinforcement.
- The central amygdala's role appears specific to the affective component of reward memory, particularly at extended time intervals.