The alteration of serotonergic markers in the amygdala and raphe nuclei of oestrogen receptor β knock-out female mice.

The amygdala and raphe nuclei, which play crucial roles in mood regulation, are influenced by serotonergic neurotransmission. Alterations in this neurotransmission are associated with mood disorders. Therefore, using immunohistochemistry and quantitative methods this study was designed to evaluate potential alterations in the expression of serotoninergic markers in the amygdala and raphe nuclei of mice with oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) knock out which exhibit increased anxiety as evidenced by reduced locomotion and increased thigmotaxis.

The Co-Expression Pattern of Calcium-Binding Proteins with γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate Transporters in the Amygdala of the Guinea Pig: Evidence for Glutamatergic Subpopulations.

The amygdala has large populations of neurons utilizing specific calcium-binding proteins such as parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB), or calretinin (CR). They are considered specialized subsets of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons; however, many of these cells are devoid of GABA or glutamate decarboxylase. The neurotransmitters used by GABA-immunonegative cells are still unknown, but it is suggested that a part may use glutamate.

Dopaminergic and cholinergic modulation of the amygdala is altered in female mice with oestrogen receptor β deprivation.

The amygdala is modulated by dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission, and this modulation is altered in mood disorders. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the presence/absence of quantitative alterations in the expression of main dopaminergic and cholinergic markers in the amygdala of mice with oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) knock-out which exhibit increased anxiety, using immunohistochemistry and quantitative methods. Such alterations could either contribute to increased anxiety or be a compensatory mechanism for reducing anxiety.

GABAergic and Glutamatergic Phenotypes of Neurons Expressing Calcium-Binding Proteins in the Preoptic Area of the Guinea Pig.

The mammalian preoptic area (POA) has large populations of calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) neurons, but phenotypes of these cells are unknown. Therefore, the question is whether neurons expressing CB, CR, and/or PV are GABAergic or glutamatergic. Double-immunofluorescence staining followed by epifluorescence and confocal microscopy was used to determine the coexpression patterns of CB, CR and PV expressing neurons with vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT) as specific markers of GABAergic neurons and vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT 2) as specific markers of glutamatergic neurons.

Expression of Calbindin, a Marker of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Neurons, Is Reduced in the Amygdala of Oestrogen Receptor β-Deficient Female Mice.

Oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) knock-out female mice display increased anxiety and decreased threshold for synaptic plasticity induction in the basolateral amygdala. This may suggest that the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory system is altered. Therefore, the immunoreactivity of main GABAergic markers-i.

The evolutionary trajectories of the individual amygdala nuclei in the common shrew, guinea pig, rabbit, fox and pig: A consequence of embryological fate and mosaic-like evolution.

The amygdala primarily evolved as a danger detector that regulates emotional behaviours and learning. However, it is also engaged in stress responses as well as olfactory/pheromonal and reproductive functions. All of these functions are processed by a set of nuclei which are derived from different telencephalic sources (pallial and subpallial) and have a unique cellular structure and specific connections.