Neural correlates and determinants of approach-avoidance conflict in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex

• Autores: Fernandez Leon, Jose Alberto; Engelke, Douglas S.; Aquino Miranda, Guillermo; Goodson, Alexandria; Rasheed, María N.; Do Monte, Fabricio H.
• Año de publicación: 2021
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: DECISION-MAKING; ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY; FEAR; OPTOGENETICS; PRELIMBIC PREFRONTAL CORTEX; REWARD
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

The recollection of environmental cues associated with threat or reward allows animals to select the most appropriate behavioral responses. Neurons in the prelimbic cortex (PL) respond to both threat-and reward-associated cues. However, it remains unknown whether PL regulates threat-avoidance vs. reward-approaching responses when an animals’ decision depends on previously associated memories. Using a conflict model in which male Long-Evans rats retrieve memories of shock and food-paired cues, we observed two distinct phenotypes during conflict: I) rats that continued to press a lever for food (Pressers); and ii) rats that exhibited a complete suppression in food seeking (Non-pressers). Single-unit recordings revealed that increased risk-taking behavior in Pressers is associated with persistent food-cue responses in PL, and reduced spontaneous activity in PL glutamatergic (PLGLUT) neurons during conflict. Activating PLGLUT neurons in Pressers attenuated foodseeking responses in a neutral context, whereas inhibiting PLGLUT neurons in Non pressers reduced defensive responses and increased food approaching during conflict. Our results establish a causal role for PLGLUT neurons in mediating individual variability in memory-based risky decision making by regulating threat-avoidance vs. reward-approach behaviors.
Fil: Fernandez Leon, Jose Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos
Fil: Engelke, Douglas S.. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos
Fil: Aquino Miranda, Guillermo. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos
Fil: Goodson, Alexandria. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos. Rice University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Rasheed, María N.. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos
Fil: Do Monte, Fabricio H.. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados Unidos. Rice University; Estados Unidos