Information transmission in mPFC-BLA network during exploratory behavior in the open field

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience

Background:

• Exploratory behavior is crucial for motivation, learning, and well-being.
• The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) are implicated in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors.
• The dynamic interplay within the mPFC-BLA network during exploration remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate information transmission mechanisms within the mPFC-BLA network during rodent exploratory behavior.
• To characterize the functional connectivity and information flow dynamics between the mPFC and BLA.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous local field potential (LFP) recordings from the mPFC and BLA in rats performing the open field test (OFT).
• Application of Directed Transfer Function (DTF) to assess Granger causal connectivity and functional connectivity.
• Calculation of Information Flow (IF) to quantify information transmission dynamics.

Main Results:

• Theta-band functional connectivity was higher in the periphery compared to the center of the open field for both mPFC and BLA.
• Information flow (IF) from the BLA to the mPFC was significantly greater than from the mPFC to the BLA during the OFT.
• Theta-band functional connectivity and directed information flow were significantly altered by location within the open field.

Conclusions:

• Functional connectivity and information transmission within the mPFC-BLA network are dynamically related to exploratory behavior.
• Information transmission predominantly flows from the BLA to the mPFC, suggesting a key role for this directionality in mediating exploratory actions.
• Findings provide insights into the neural network mechanisms underlying exploration and its relation to affective states.