ISDN2012_0265: Bone morphogenetic protein modulation directs neural tube closure by dynamically regulating apicobasal polarity

The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia The amygdaloid complex is temporal lobe structure that plays a key role in fear learning and expression. It is divided into a large number of nuclei that have extensive intrinsic as well as inter nuclear connections. Most, but not all sensory information enters the amygdaloid complex via the basolateral amygdala (BLA) where it is initially processed. The BLA is a cortical like structure of which the main cell type are glutamatergic principal neurons that form ∼80% of the neuronal cell mass. The remaining 20% is made up with local circuit GABAegic interneurons. While much is known about the properties of excitatory inputs to the BLA, the intrinsic circuitry is rather little understood. In this talk, I will discuss the excitatory and inhibitory intrinsic circuitry within the BLA. I will first discuss the properties of principal neurons and the inputs they receive. Then, I will describe the different types of interneuron present in the BLA, the local connections they make and properties of inputs to these cells. I will describe one particular type of interneuron that in the adult acts as an excitatory cell and its developmental properties.