Differential routing of valence information through the basolateral amygdala

The project investigates the neural mechanisms of habit formation, focusing on the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). It addresses a gap in knowledge regarding how CeA activity codes habits and relates to other interconnected brain areas (prefrontal cortex (IL), sensorimotor striatum (DLS), dopaminergic projections to the striatum (SNc)). The central hypothesis is that CeA neurons will develop a “chunking” pattern of activity necessary for habit development, with behavioral correlates similar to those in IL. The research involves defining behavioral phenotypes of habit and methodology for testing habit formation, followed by in-vivo electrophysiology to determine if CeA activity patterns bracket actions during habit formation on an elevated plus-maze task. The overall goal is to provide insight into how compulsive actions may arise from improperly timed amygdalar activity and to further define neural contributions to psychological phenomena like habit formation.