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Functionally refined encoding of threat memory by distinct populations of basal forebrain cholinergic projection neurons.

eLife | 2024

Neurons of the basal forebrain nucleus basalis and posterior substantia innominata (NBM/SIp) comprise the major source of cholinergic input to the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Using a genetically encoded acetylcholine (ACh) sensor in mice, we demonstrate that BLA-projecting cholinergic neurons can 'learn' the association between a naive tone and a foot shock (training) and release ACh in the BLA in response to the conditioned tone 24 hr later (recall). In the NBM/SIp cholinergic neurons express the immediate early gene, Fos following both training and memory recall. Cholinergic neurons that express Fos following memory recall display increased intrinsic excitability. Chemogenetic silencing of these learning-activated cholinergic neurons prevents expression of the defensive behavior to the tone. In contrast, we show that NBM/SIp cholinergic neurons are not activated by an innately threatening stimulus (predator odor). Instead, VP/SIa cholinergic neurons are activated and contribute to defensive behaviors in response to predator odor, an innately threatening stimulus. Taken together, we find that distinct populations of cholinergic neurons are recruited to signal distinct aversive stimuli, demonstrating functionally refined organization of specific types of memory within the cholinergic basal forebrain of mice.

Pubmed ID: 38363713 RIS Download

Associated grants

  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 MH077681
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: T32 NS007224
  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: MH077681
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: NS22061
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 NS022061
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: 1ZIANS009416
  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: U01 MH109104
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: 1ZIANS009424
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R37 DA014241
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: DA14241,DA037566
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: 1ZIANS009422
  • Agency: Intramural NIH HHS, United States
    Id: ZIA NS009422
  • Agency: Intramural NIH HHS, United States
    Id: ZIA NS009424
  • Agency: NIMH NIH HHS, United States
    Id: U01-MH109104
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: DA037566
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: DA14241
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 DA037566
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: 1ZIANS009416,1ZIANS009422
  • Agency: NIDA NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 DA014241
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: NS007224
  • Agency: Intramural NIH HHS, United States
    Id: ZIA NS009416

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