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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2091-1122
Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Neuroscience & Behavior
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2019
Month Degree Awarded
September
Abstract
The medial amygdala (MeA) is a central node in the interwoven circuits that regulate social behavior based on pheromones. Aromatase-expressing (arom+) neurons in the MeA are key for the establishment and maintenance of sex differences. Here, we characterized the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of arom+ neurons and non-aromatase (arom-) neurons in the MeA of male and female mice. Most electrophysiological properties were similar for arom+ neurons in the MeA between sexes, but the relative refractory period was twice as large in female mice. We also show that the firing pattern and firing frequency is markedly different between arom+ and arom- neurons. The activity of MeA neurons could be modulated by estradiol, which reduced activity in arom+ neurons in males. The differences between arom+ and arom- neurons were observed in both sexes suggesting that aromatase expression delineates a neural population in the MeA with similar and unique electrophysiological properties.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/14350640
First Advisor
Joseph Bergan
Second Advisor
Geng-Lin Li
Third Advisor
Luke Remage-Healey
Recommended Citation
Correia, Marcelo Henrique, "SEX SPECIFIC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY OF AROMATASE NEURONS IN THE MEDIAL AMYGDALA" (2019). Masters Theses. 824.
https://doi.org/10.7275/14350640
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/824