Social Behavior Is Modulated by Valence-Encoding mPFC-Amygdala Sub-circuitry

Social Behavior Is Modulated by Valence-Encoding mPFC-Amygdala Sub-circuitry

Blog Article

Summary: The prefrontal cortex and amygdala are anatomical substrates linked to both social information and emotional valence processing, but it is not known whether sub-circuits in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that project to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) are recruited and functionally contribute to social approach-avoidance behavior.Using retrograde labeling of mPFC projections to the BLA, we find that BLA-projecting neurons in the infralimbic cortex (IL) are preferentially activated in response to a social Gift Card cue as compared Collections with BLA-projecting neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PL).Chemogenetic interrogation of these sub-circuits shows that activation of PL-BLA or inhibition of IL-BLA circuits impairs social behavior.Sustained closed-loop optogenetic activation of PL-BLA circuitry induces social impairment, corresponding to a negative emotional state as revealed by real-time place preference behavioral avoidance.Reactivation of foot shock-responsive PL-BLA circuitry impairs social behavior.

Altogether, these data suggest a circuit-level mechanism by which valence-encoding mPFC-BLA sub-circuits shape social approach-avoidance behavior.