Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
10:24
Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors
Published on: December 3, 2017
10.9K
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Immunoreactive Interneurons within Circuits of the Mouse Basolateral Amygdala
Thomas Rhomberg1, Laura Rovira-Esteban2, Attila Vikór2
1Department of Pharmacology.
Summary
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing (VIP+) interneurons in the amygdala
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Principal cell activity in cortical structures is regulated by GABAergic interneurons (INs).
- Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-expressing (VIP+) INs preferentially innervate other INs, creating disinhibition of principal cells.
- Little is known about VIP+ INs in the amygdaloid basolateral complex (BLA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively analyze the distribution, properties, and connectivity of VIP+ INs in the mouse BLA.
- To investigate the role of VIP+ INs in forming disinhibitory circuits within the BLA.
- To understand the heterogeneity of VIP+ INs and their potential roles in amygdala function.
Main Methods:
- Anatomical, neurochemical, and electrophysiological criteria for VIP+ IN identification.
- Whole-cell recordings of VIP+ INs.
- Genetic targeting, optogenetics, and in vitro recordings to identify innervated BLA IN types.
- Analysis of GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs to VIP+ INs.
Main Results:
- VIP+ INs exhibit variable density across BLA subdivisions.
- VIP+ INs identified as IN-selective INs (IS-INs) and CB1 receptor-expressing basket cells.
- VIP+ IS-INs show three distinct spiking patterns.
- VIP+ INs innervate other IS-INs, basket cells, and neurogliaform cells.
- VIP+ basket cell stimulation evokes IPSPs in ~20% of principal neurons.
- VIP+ INs receive GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs.
Conclusions:
- VIP+ INs in the BLA are structurally and functionally heterogeneous.
- This heterogeneity suggests diverse roles in amygdala-dependent functions.
- The study demonstrates disinhibitory circuitry involving VIP+ INs in the BLA for the first time.
- VIP+ INs may facilitate principal cell firing and associative plasticity, such as in fear learning.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Role of Amygdala in Memory
1.2K
The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure responsible for processing and storing memories, particularly those linked to emotions like fear and stress. It plays an essential role in the brain's response to emotionally significant events and often enhances memory formation by triggering stress hormone release. The amygdala is vital for encoding and retrieving memories associated with fear or stress, a process that is adaptive by helping organisms avoid dangerous situations.
One of the...
One of the...
1.2K
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
87.6K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
87.6K
01:17Second-Order Circuits
3.6K
Integrating two fundamental energy storage elements in electrical circuits results in second-order circuits, encompassing RLC circuits and circuits with dual capacitors or inductors (RC and RL circuits). Second-order circuits are identified by second-order differential equations that link input and output signals.
Input signals typically originate from voltage or current sources, with the output often representing voltage across the capacitor and/or current through the inductor. For example, in...
Input signals typically originate from voltage or current sources, with the output often representing voltage across the capacitor and/or current through the inductor. For example, in...
3.6K
01:15First-Order Circuits
3.8K
First-order electrical circuits, which comprise resistors and a single energy storage element - either a capacitor or an inductor, are fundamental to many electronic systems. These circuits are governed by a first-order differential equation that describes the relationship between input and output signals.
One common example of a first-order circuit is the RC (resistor-capacitor) circuit. These circuits are used in relaxation oscillators such as neon lamp oscillator circuits. When voltage is...
One common example of a first-order circuit is the RC (resistor-capacitor) circuit. These circuits are used in relaxation oscillators such as neon lamp oscillator circuits. When voltage is...
3.8K
01:19The Y-to-Y Circuit
762
In a balanced four-wire wye-to-wye system, the arrangement involves wye-connected sinusoidal voltage sources and loads, connected through a neutral wire that links the neutral nodes of the source and load. The load impedance is connected across each phase of the load. The wye-connected source can be connected to the wye-connected load in four-wire and three-wire arrangements. A three-phase system is considered balanced when the load on each phase is equal, leading to uniform current flow and...
762
01:21LC Circuits
3.3K
An LC circuit consists of an inductor and a capacitor, either in series or parallel. Consider a charged capacitor connected with an inductor in series. Before the switch is closed, all the energy of the circuit is stored in the electric field of the capacitor. When the switch is closed, the capacitor begins to discharge, producing a current in the circuit. The current, in turn, creates a magnetic field in the inductor. Because of the induced emf in the inductor, the current cannot change...
3.3K