Role of the central nucleus of the amygdala during ethanol-rewarded instrumental tasks

项目摘要 消费乙醇的动机是变化无常的。个体之间差异很大，但即使在一个人身上， 就个人而言，这种动机并不总是恒定的。然而，将动机转化为 消费到字面上的消费行为仍然知之甚少。杏仁核的中央核可能 是这个过程中必不可少的一部分。它的解剖学联系暗示了它在乙醇和食品中的潜在作用 奖励消费，因为它是由典型的奖励处理中心和自身密集支配的 支配支配运动行为和注意力的区域。然而，确切的机制和射击模式 杏仁核中央核参与驱动奖励消费的机制仍然很差 明白这项建议利用了一项基础技术，即体内电生理学，来揭示 杏仁核电活动的中央核与寻找和摄取酒精有关。在看 在整个工具任务会话的过程中，该区域的活动，关于 杏仁核中央核在合成动机以驱动运动行为中的作用。在 目的1，在整个过程中，将监测杏仁核中央核的神经活动模式。 乙醇自我管理的任务，以了解如何在这一地区的活动变化，在整个试验作为一个动物的 消费乙醇的动机减弱。对于目标2，当发生以下情况时，将进行拟定的电生理学记录： 水剥夺大鼠执行选择任务，促进奖励偏好从水到乙醇的转换。 这些计划的录音将阐明中央核杏仁核活动时，有竞争 动机在目标3中，将评估依赖性对两种工具性任务的影响，以了解依赖性如何影响学习者的学习。 在该区域中的燃烧遵循依赖性诱导高浓度的乙醇。为了实现这些目标， 传播我发现的数据，我也将进一步提高我作为一个独立的独立和信心， 研究人员，同时提高我的理论，技术和专业技能。总体而言，该项目旨在 了解杏仁核的中央核作为奖励寻求和奖励之间的联系点的作用 消费这不仅将加深我们对这一核心的整体作用的理解，而且可以 可能有助于新的治疗行为和医疗干预。

PROJECT SUMMARY The motivation to consume ethanol is a fickle thing. It differs wildly between individuals, but even in one individual, this motivation is not always constant. However, the exact dynamics that translate motivation to consume to the literal act of consumption remain poorly understood. The central nucleus of the amygdala may be an essential piece in this process. Its anatomical connections hint at its potential role in ethanol and food reward consumption, given that it is densely innervated by canonical reward processing centers and itself innervates regions directing motor behaviors and attention. However, the exact mechanisms and firing patterns that drive the central nucleus of the amygdala’s involvement in driving reward consumption remain poorly understood. This proposal makes use of a foundational technique, in vivo electrophysiology, to uncover how the central nucleus of the amygdala electrical activity relates to alcohol seeking and taking. In looking at the activity of this region over the course of a whole instrumental task session, a clearer conclusion about the central nucleus of the amygdala’s role in synthesizing motivation to drive motor behaviors can be obtained. In aim 1, the neural activity pattern in the central nucleus of the amygdala will be monitored over the course of an ethanol self-administration task to understand how activity in this region changes across trials as an animal’s motivation to consume ethanol wanes. For aim 2, the proposed electrophysiology recordings will occur when water-deprived rats perform a choice task that promotes a switch in reward preference from water to ethanol. These planned recordings will elucidate central nucleus of the amygdala activity when there are competing motivations. In aim 3, the effect of dependence on both instrumental tasks will be assessed to understand how the firing in this region following dependence-inducing high concentrations of ethanol. In completing these aims and disseminating the data I find, I will also further my independence and confidence as an independent researcher while also improving my theoretical, technical, and professional skills. Overall, this project aims to understand the central nucleus of the amygdala’s role as a nexus point between reward seeking and reward consumption. This would not only deepen our understanding of this nucleus’s role as a whole, but could potentially contribute to novel therapeutic behavioral and medical interventions.