New Neurons in the Adult Amygdala of a Monogamous Rodent Species

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event New Neurons in the Adult Amygdala of a Monogamous Rodent Species Claudia Lieberwirth1*, Xixi Jia1, Yan Liu1 and Zuoxin Wang1 1 Florida State University, United States It is well accepted that adult neurogenesis occurs in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the rostral lateral ventricles and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in mammalian brains. Although adult-generated cells are also found in other brain areas, we know little about the characteristics, long-term fate, or functional significance of these cells. Here, we used the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) to examine adult neurogenesis and focused on the amygdala (AMY) because of its importance in sensory processing, information integration, and modulation of cognitive and behavioral functions. In expt. 1, using an exogenous cell proliferation marker, BrdU, we identified new cells in the AMY of adult male voles even 8 weeks after BrdU administration, and these cells co-labeled with either a neuronal or glial marker. These data indicate that new cells are present in the adult vole AMY, are long-lasting, and can differentiate into neurons or glia. In expt. 2, we examined the potential involvement of new AMY cells in social interactions. Males were injected with BrdU and were exposed 8 weeks later to a novel female for 30-min social interactions. Then the brains were processed for immunoreactive labeling of BrdU with Fos, the product of an immediate early gene, c-fos. BrdU and Fos single-labeled cells were found in the AMY and other brain areas, including the olfactory bulb (OB) - a brain area projecting to the AMY. Interestingly, BrdU/Fos double-labeled cells were found only in the OB, but not in the AMY, suggesting that the new cells in the AMY may not use Fos as a transcription factor or these cells may not be involved in social interactions. In the on-going third expt., we are examining the critical period for social experience to affect the survival of new cells in the AMY. Implications of these new cells in the adult AMY and their interactions with social environment are discussed. Supported by NIH grants MHR01-58616, DAR01-19627 & DAK02-23048 Conference: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting, Rhodes Island, Greece, 13 Sep - 18 Sep, 2009. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster presentations Citation: Lieberwirth C, Jia X, Liu Y and Wang Z (2009). New Neurons in the Adult Amygdala of a Monogamous Rodent Species. Conference Abstract: 41st European Brain and Behaviour Society Meeting. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.08.2009.09.220 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 11 Jun 2009; Published Online: 11 Jun 2009. * Correspondence: Claudia Lieberwirth, Florida State University, Tallahassee, United States, lieberwirth@neuro.fsu.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Claudia Lieberwirth Xixi Jia Yan Liu Zuoxin Wang Google Claudia Lieberwirth Xixi Jia Yan Liu Zuoxin Wang Google Scholar Claudia Lieberwirth Xixi Jia Yan Liu Zuoxin Wang PubMed Claudia Lieberwirth Xixi Jia Yan Liu Zuoxin Wang Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.