BMA (Basomedial amygdalar nucleus) functionally connects to IA (Intercalated amygdalar nucleus)

Unilateral in vivo blue-light stimulation of ChR2-expressing PACAP BMA neurons that project to the mICCs raised the number of cfos-positive cells in the ipsilateral mICCs relative to the unstimulated hemisphere. In slices, single light flashes over ChR2-expressing BMA PACAPergic fibres evoked EPSCs in most recorded mICC neurons; these were abolished by TTX, restored/increased by TTX plus 4-AP (consistent with a monosynaptic connection), and blocked by CNQX, showing glutamate release from BMA terminals. The PAC1 antagonist PACAP 6-38 increased EPSC amplitude without changing the paired-pulse ratio.

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