Rapid Associative Encoding in Basolateral Amygdala Depends on Connections with Orbitofrontal Cortex

摘要: Certain goal-directed behaviors depend upon interactions between basolateral amygdala (ABL) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Here we describe neurophysiological evidence of this cooperative function. We recorded from ABL in intact OFC-lesioned rats during learning odor discrimination problems reversals. During learning, with ipsilateral OFC lesions exhibited a marked decline the proportion neurons that fired differentially cue sampling both before after reversal reversed preference when odor-outcome associations were reversed. This appeared to reflect loss rapid flexibility selectivity characterized activity rats. In addition, lesioned had fewer anticipation predicted outcome delay period responding but delivery. These findings support role for facilitating encoding information about expected outcomes ABL.