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| Poster #Neural Pathways Neuromodulation in the Gustatory Cortex and its Involvement in Taste Behaviors |
| Mia B. Fox1, Walt J. Krueger1, Stephanie M. Staszko2, John D. Boughter Jr.1, Max L. Fletcher1 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN, United States 2Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States |
The neuromodulator acetylcholine (ACh) is released in various cortical areas in association with functions such as novelty, learning, and attention. Previous studies show its release in gustatory cortex (GC) plays an important role in both taste neophobia and conditioned taste aversion (CTA) behaviors. We used neuronal tracing and immunocytochemistry to delineate cholinergic input to the GC from the basal forebrain (BF) in mice. 73% of GC-projecting neurons in BF were cholinergic, positive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of (muscarinic) M1 and M2 receptors in GC. Behavioral experiments with either systemically administered or direct cortical infusion of scopolamine (ACh antagonist) indicate that blocking muscarinic receptors does not affect the neophobic response to a novel stimulus, but it interferes with either attenuation of neophobia or expression of a conditioned taste aversion (CTA). We are currently conducting calcium imaging studies investigating the activity of cholinergic neurons during taste neophobia. GCaMP was expressed in, and microendoscopes implanted into, the BF of Chat-cre mice. Finally, simultaneous electrophysiological recordings of BF and GC demonstrate increased theta coherence between these structures that becomes more aligned to consumption with familiarity. |