Neural correlates and determinants of approach-avoidance conflict in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex

© 2021, Fernandez-Leon et al..

The recollection of environmental cues associated with threat or reward allows animals to select the most appropriate behavioral responses. Neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex respond to both threat- and reward-associated cues. However, it remains unknown whether PL regulates threat-avoidance vs. reward-approaching responses when an animals' decision depends on previously associated memories. Using a conflict model in which male Long-Evans rats retrieve memories of shock- and food-paired cues, we observed two distinct phenotypes during conflict: (1) rats that continued to press a lever for food (Pressers) and (2) rats that exhibited a complete suppression in food seeking (Non-pressers). Single-unit recordings revealed that increased risk-taking behavior in Pressers is associated with persistent food-cue responses in PL, and reduced spontaneous activity in PL glutamatergic (PLGLUT) neurons during conflict. Activating PLGLUT neurons in Pressers attenuated food-seeking responses in a neutral context, whereas inhibiting PLGLUT neurons in Non-pressers reduced defensive responses and increased food approaching during conflict. Our results establish a causal role for PLGLUT neurons in mediating individual variability in memory-based risky decision-making by regulating threat-avoidance vs. reward-approach behaviors.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:10

Enthalten in:

eLife - 10(2021) vom: 16. Dez.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Fernandez-Leon, Jose A [VerfasserIn]
Engelke, Douglas S [VerfasserIn]
Aquino-Miranda, Guillermo [VerfasserIn]
Goodson, Alexandria [VerfasserIn]
Rasheed, Maria N [VerfasserIn]
Do Monte, Fabricio H [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Computational biology
Electrophysiology
Journal Article
Memory
Motivation
Neuroscience
Olfactory fear
Optogenetics
Prefrontal cortex
Rat
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systems biology

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 24.02.2022

Date Revised 24.02.2022

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.7554/eLife.74950

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM334496667