Interaction of Neurons in the Basal and Central Nuclei of the Amygdala in Rabbits with Active and Passive Behavioral Strategies in Emotionally Negative Situations

Abstract

Cross-correlation histograms were used to study the interaction between neurons in the central and basal nuclei of the amygdala in groups of passive and active rabbits in emotionally negative situations. The animals’ behavior was tested in an open field, a dark-light box, and on exposure to emotionally significant stimuli. Rabbits of the different groups retained a particular behavioral strategy in different tests. Intergroup differences were seen in the interaction of close-lying amygdalar neurons. Passive animals showed more excitatory and fewer inhibitory interneuronal connections with latent periods from 50 to 150 msec than active animals; interactions between neurons were rarer at the delta1 and theta2 frequencies. Asymmetry in interhemisphere interactions of neurons with right-sided dominance was seen in passive animals but was absent in active animals. These data provide evidence that the amygdala is involved in selecting the passive or active behavioral strategy, passive animals showing higher levels of activation of the amygdala than active rabbits.