A biophysical model suggested that more excitable LA neurons are preferentially recruited into the fear memory trace via competitive synaptic interactions, validated experimentally¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r1–r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2016 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? In the Kim et al. model, only 1% of model LA neurons with high spike frequency adaptation increased CS responsiveness versus 44% (printed as 440%) of the more intrinsically excitable neurons, and this prediction was subsequently validated experimentally. → Nair 2016 q2 i? The model further indicated that the level of inhibition in the system controls the size of the fear memory trace. → Nair 2016 (2)

Evidence¶

Nair 2016¶

Nair, S. S., Paré, D. and Vicentic, A. (2016). Biologically based neural circuit modelling for the study of fear learning and extinction. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/npjscilearn.2016.15

q2 · i? · review · r2

Simulation result from the Kim et al. biophysical LA model reported in the review. Model neurons with high spike frequency adaptation rarely increased CS responsiveness; "the more intrinsically excitable neurons" were preferentially recruited, and the review notes the prediction was later validated experimentally.

"only 1% of model LA neurons with high spike frequency adaptation increased their CS responsiveness, compared with 440% of the more intrinsically excitable neurons, a prediction that was subsequently validated experimentally."

Nair 2016 (2)¶

Nair, S. S., Paré, D. and Vicentic, A. (2016). Biologically based neural circuit modelling for the study of fear learning and extinction. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/npjscilearn.2016.15

q2 · i? · review · r1

Simulation result from the same biophysical modelling work as reported in the review: the model predicted that "the level of inhibtion in the system controlled the size of the fear memory trace". No effect size or test statistic is printed.

"Another prediction from the model was that the level of inhibtion in the system controlled the size of the fear memory trace."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• A biophysical LA model showed both auditory thalamic plasticity and intra-amygdala plasticity contribute to fear memory, with thalamic responsiveness essential during learning but dispensable after training — related
• Model ablation of engram neurons showed other neurons emerge to support memory, indicating competitive neuronal interactions underlie learning — related
• Experimental work indicates basolateral amygdala cells activated by appetitive CSs mainly encode behavioural output, not CS identity, challenging amygdalo-centric feedforward accounts — related
• The Hebbian CS–US convergence model of lateral amygdala plasticity is inconsistent with the timing and brevity of LA CS responses — related