Abstract
Background
Aversive learning involves both context and emotional coding. While the amygdala has a pivotal role in aversive learning and the hippocampus in context-related learning, the connectivity between the two and its effect on aversive learning was not yet thoroughly studied. In this study we explored the role of amygdala-hippocampus coupling in aversive learning.
Methods
In an fMRI experiment, 74 participants underwent an aversive reversal learning paradigm. For each trial, we have calculated the correlation between the amygdala and hippocampal activation, as well as amygdala-vmPFC and amygdala-supramarginal gyrus (a control region). We then tested whether the coupling of amygdala-hippocampus (or other two regions) predicted the skin conductance response above and beyond the amygdala activation.
Results
Comparing amygdala-hippocampal coupling between the different conditions (CS+ with shock, CS+ without shock, and CS-) showed a significant elevation in the shock condition (β=0.06 pConclusions
The process by which aversive learning is acquired and coded in the human brain is still elusive. Our results present evidence for the significant role amygdala-hippocampus coupling plays in encoding this kind of learning.
Aversive learning involves both context and emotional coding. While the amygdala has a pivotal role in aversive learning and the hippocampus in context-related learning, the connectivity between the two and its effect on aversive learning was not yet thoroughly studied. In this study we explored the role of amygdala-hippocampus coupling in aversive learning.
Methods
In an fMRI experiment, 74 participants underwent an aversive reversal learning paradigm. For each trial, we have calculated the correlation between the amygdala and hippocampal activation, as well as amygdala-vmPFC and amygdala-supramarginal gyrus (a control region). We then tested whether the coupling of amygdala-hippocampus (or other two regions) predicted the skin conductance response above and beyond the amygdala activation.
Results
Comparing amygdala-hippocampal coupling between the different conditions (CS+ with shock, CS+ without shock, and CS-) showed a significant elevation in the shock condition (β=0.06 pConclusions
The process by which aversive learning is acquired and coded in the human brain is still elusive. Our results present evidence for the significant role amygdala-hippocampus coupling plays in encoding this kind of learning.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S340-S340 |
| Journal | Biological Psychiatry |
| Volume | 91 |
| Issue number | 9, Supplement |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 May 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Fear Memory
- Fear Learning
- Hippocampus/Amygdala