High Gamma Activity in the Infralimbic Cortex to Nucleus Accumbens Shell Pathway Modulates Innate Aversion
Elijah C Grablin1, Joaquin E Douton1, Regina M Carelli2
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
Eneuro
|August 25, 2025
Summary
High gamma brain waves in the infralimbic cortex to nucleus accumbens shell pathway modulate innate aversion in female rats, but not males. Optogenetics confirmed this causal link, showing decreased innate aversion when this pathway was stimulated.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Psychiatric Research
Background:
- Aversion modulation is crucial for hedonic processing and its disruption is linked to psychiatric disorders.
- The infralimbic cortex (IL) to nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) pathway is vital for hedonic processing, with sex-specific functional differences.
- Previous research implicated beta (20 Hz) oscillations in learned aversion in males, but not females.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of high gamma (80 Hz) activity in the IL-NAcSh pathway in modulating innate and learned aversion.
- To explore sex differences in the neural processing of aversion within this pathway.
- To establish a causal link between high gamma activity and aversion processing in female rats.
Main Methods:
- Local field potential (LFP) recordings in the IL and NAcSh of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Taste reactivity (TR) tests using quinine (innate aversion) and conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigms (learned aversion).
- Electrophysiological analysis of high gamma (80 Hz) activity, functional connectivity, and LFP directionality; optogenetic manipulation of the IL-NAcSh pathway.
Main Results:
- In males, no significant changes in IL or NAcSh high gamma activity or connectivity were observed during aversion tasks.
- In females, quinine (innate aversion) increased IL and NAcSh 80 Hz LFP activity and IL-NAcSh functional connectivity.
- LFP directionality in females indicated top-down IL to NAcSh modulation during innate aversion; optogenetic stimulation selectively decreased innate aversion, not learned aversion.
Conclusions:
- The IL-NAcSh pathway exhibits sex- and frequency-specific roles in aversion modulation.
- High gamma (80 Hz) oscillations are specifically involved in modulating innate aversion in female rats.
- These findings suggest potential targets for sex-specific therapeutic interventions in mental health disorders.
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