Memory-dependent c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens and extended amygdala following the expression of a conditioned taste aversive in the rat.

Full Abstract

Retrieving the memory of a conditioned taste aversion involves multiple forebrain areas. Although the amygdala clearly plays a role in the expression of a conditioned taste aversion, critical regions, downstream from the amygdala remain to be defined. To this end, Fos immunoreactivity was used in the rat to explore forebrain structures associated with retrieval that have an anatomical relationship with the amygdala. The results showed that expression of a conditioned taste aversion to 0.5 M sucrose elicited neuronal activation in the nucleus accumbens and in a complex of structures collectively referred to as the extended amygdala. The posterior hypothalamus and parasubthalamic nucleus, which receive inputs from the extended amygdala, were also activated upon re-exposure to the sucrose conditioned stimulus. Fos immunoreactivity did not increase in these regions in response to an innately aversive tastant, quinine hydrochloride (conditioned stimulus control), nor to LiCl-induced visceral stimulation in unconditioned animals (unconditioned stimulus control). In addition, these regions did not respond to the sucrose conditioned stimulus in sham-conditioned animals. These results suggest that conditioned and innately aversive tastes are differentially processed in the forebrain circuitry that includes the nucleus accumbens and extended amygdala.

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Author information

Author/s: Yasoshima, Y (Y); Scott, T R (TR); Yamamoto, T (T);

Affiliation: Department of Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, 1-2 Yamada-oka, Suita 565-0871, Japan. yasosima(-atsign-)fmu.ac.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroscience (Neuroscience), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 141 (issue 1) : pp 35-45

Dates: Created 2006/07/03; Completed 2006/09/28; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16650612, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Amygdala - drug effects; metabolism
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Avoidance Learning - drug effects; physiology
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Cell Count - methods
Conditioning (Psychology)
Gene Expression - drug effects; physiology
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Lithium Chloride - pharmacology
Male

Male
Memory - physiology
Nucleus Accumbens - drug effects; metabolism
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos - metabolism
Quinine - administration & dosage
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Reaction Time - physiology
Sucrose - administration & dosage
Sweetening Agents
Taste - drug effects; physiology

Associated Chemicals: Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos (0) ; Sweetening Agents (0) ; Quinine (130-95-0) ; Sucrose (57-50-1) ; Lithium Chloride (7447-41-8)

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