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The Journal of Neuroscience, June 27, 2007, 27(26):7054-7069; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1744-07.2007

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Cellular/Molecular
State-Dependent Modulation of Amygdala Inputs by Dopamine-Induced Enhancement of Sodium Currents in Layer V Entorhinal Cortex

J. Amiel Rosenkranz and Daniel Johnston

Center for Learning and Memory, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. J. Amiel Rosenkranz, Center for Learning and Memory, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C7000, Austin, TX 78712. Email: amiel{at}mail.clm.utexas.edu

Interaction between the entorhinal cortex (EC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) may be a fundamental component in the consolidation of many forms of affective memory, such as inhibitory avoidance. Dopamine (DA) in the EC is necessary for, and may facilitate, this form of learning. This effect of DA on affective behaviors may be accomplished in part through modulation of amygdala inputs. Although it is known that DA can modulate neuronal activity in the EC, it is not known whether DA modulates inputs from the BLA. In this study, we used in vitro patch-clamp recordings and Ca²⁺ imaging of layer V neurons in the rat lateral EC to determine whether DA modulates the integration of inputs from the BLA and the mechanism for this modulation. We found that DA exerted actions that depended on the neuronal state. Near resting membrane potentials, DA suppressed integration of inputs, whereas at depolarized potentials, DA enhanced integration. DA enhanced the integration by a D₂-mediated enhancement of Na⁺ currents, via phospholipase C. These experiments demonstrate that DA can exert actions in the EC that depend on the membrane voltage. This effect of DA may affect a wide range of inputs. Functionally, by enhancement of amygdala inputs that arrive in concert with other inputs, or during depolarized states, DA can facilitate the impact of affect on memory in a subset of conditions.

Key words: dopamine; dendrite; sodium channel; synaptic integration; entorhinal cortex; rat

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Received April 17, 2007; revised May 9, 2007; accepted May 21, 2007.

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. J. Amiel Rosenkranz, Center for Learning and Memory, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C7000, Austin, TX 78712. Email: amiel{at}mail.clm.utexas.edu

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