Basolateral amygdala oscillations enable fear learning in a biophysical model

• Published in: eLife 2024-11, Vol.12
• Main Authors: Cattani, Anna, Arnold, Don B, McCarthy, Michelle, Kopell, Nancy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amygdala; Analysis; Animals; Associative learning; Basolateral Nuclear Complex - physiology; Biophysics; BLA interneurons; Computational and Systems Biology; Electrophysiological recording; Fear - physiology; Fear conditioning; Firing pattern; gamma rhythms; Interneurons; Interneurons - physiology; Laboratory animals; Learning - physiology; Models, Neurological; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neurons; Neuroscience; Potassium; Rhythm; Rodents; SOM; Synapses; Synaptic plasticity; theta; Theta Rhythm - physiology; Theta rhythms; VIP
• ISSN: 2050-084X; 2050-084X
• DOI: 10.7554/eLife.89519

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a key site where fear learning takes place through synaptic plasticity. Rodent research shows prominent low theta (~3-6 Hz), high theta (~6-12 Hz), and gamma (>30 Hz) rhythms in the BLA local field potential recordings. However, it is not understood what role these rhythms play in supporting the plasticity. Here, we create a biophysically detailed model of the BLA circuit to show that several classes of interneurons (PV, SOM, and VIP) in the BLA can be critically involved in producing the rhythms; these rhythms promote the formation of a dedicated fear circuit shaped through spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Each class of interneurons is necessary for the plasticity. We find that the low theta rhythm is a biomarker of successful fear conditioning. The model makes use of interneurons commonly found in the cortex and, hence, may apply to a wide variety of associative learning situations.