Connectivity and functional characterization of the mouse contralateral projecting neurons in basolateral amygdala

Amygdala is widely known as a critical neural hub for modulating negative emotions such fear and anxiety. Recent studies have shown that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) has reciprocal innervation, which plays an important role in regulating social interaction associative memory. However, connectivity pattern functional of contralateral projecting BLA neurons stress-related anxiety are not fully understood. Here, using virus tracing strategy, we first characterized BLA. Then, examined effect stress on changes those specific neuronal populations mouse model inescapable footshock stress. The results showed fibers labeled by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) no collateral projections to ipsilateral or hippocampus. Interestingly, they some medial prefrontal cortex. Behavioral increases anxiety-like behavior mice; however, excitatory synaptic transmission intrinsic excitability measured whole-cell patch clamp recording did change after exposure. In conclusion, our indicate may contribute behavior.