Abstract
The amygdala is part of a neural network that contributes to the regulation of emotional behaviors. Rodents, especially rats, are used extensively as model organisms to decipher the functions of specific amygdala nuclei, in particular in relation to fear and emotional learning. Analysis of the role of the nonhuman primate amygdala in these functions has lagged work in the rodent but provides evidence for conservation of basic functions across species. Here we provide quantitative information regarding the morphological characteristics of the main amygdala nuclei in rats and monkeys, including neuron and glial cell numbers, neuronal soma size, and individual nuclei volumes. The volumes of the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were, respectively, 32, 39, and 39 times larger in monkeys than in rats. In contrast, the central and medial nuclei were only 8 and 4 times larger in monkeys than in rats. The numbers of neurons in the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were 14, 11, and 16 times greater in monkeys than in rats, whereas the numbers of neurons in the central and medial nuclei were only 2.3 and 1.5 times greater in monkeys than in rats. Neuron density was between 2.4 and 3.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats, whereas glial density was only between 1.1 and 1.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats. We compare our data in rats and monkeys with those previously published in humans and discuss the theoretical and functional implications that derive from our quantitative structural findings.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3218-3239 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Journal of Comparative Neurology |
| Volume | 519 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2011 |
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Keywords
- Amygdaloid complex
- Astrocyte
- Human
- Neuron
- Neuropil
- Oligodendrocyte
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Stereological analysis of the rat and monkey amygdala. / Chareyron, Loïc J.; Banta Lavenex, Pamela; Amaral, David G; Lavenex, Pierre.
In: Journal of Comparative Neurology, Vol. 519, No. 16, 01.11.2011, p. 3218-3239.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Stereological analysis of the rat and monkey amygdala
AU - Chareyron, Loïc J.
AU - Banta Lavenex, Pamela
AU - Amaral, David G
AU - Lavenex, Pierre
PY - 2011/11/1
Y1 - 2011/11/1
N2 - The amygdala is part of a neural network that contributes to the regulation of emotional behaviors. Rodents, especially rats, are used extensively as model organisms to decipher the functions of specific amygdala nuclei, in particular in relation to fear and emotional learning. Analysis of the role of the nonhuman primate amygdala in these functions has lagged work in the rodent but provides evidence for conservation of basic functions across species. Here we provide quantitative information regarding the morphological characteristics of the main amygdala nuclei in rats and monkeys, including neuron and glial cell numbers, neuronal soma size, and individual nuclei volumes. The volumes of the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were, respectively, 32, 39, and 39 times larger in monkeys than in rats. In contrast, the central and medial nuclei were only 8 and 4 times larger in monkeys than in rats. The numbers of neurons in the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were 14, 11, and 16 times greater in monkeys than in rats, whereas the numbers of neurons in the central and medial nuclei were only 2.3 and 1.5 times greater in monkeys than in rats. Neuron density was between 2.4 and 3.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats, whereas glial density was only between 1.1 and 1.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats. We compare our data in rats and monkeys with those previously published in humans and discuss the theoretical and functional implications that derive from our quantitative structural findings.
AB - The amygdala is part of a neural network that contributes to the regulation of emotional behaviors. Rodents, especially rats, are used extensively as model organisms to decipher the functions of specific amygdala nuclei, in particular in relation to fear and emotional learning. Analysis of the role of the nonhuman primate amygdala in these functions has lagged work in the rodent but provides evidence for conservation of basic functions across species. Here we provide quantitative information regarding the morphological characteristics of the main amygdala nuclei in rats and monkeys, including neuron and glial cell numbers, neuronal soma size, and individual nuclei volumes. The volumes of the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were, respectively, 32, 39, and 39 times larger in monkeys than in rats. In contrast, the central and medial nuclei were only 8 and 4 times larger in monkeys than in rats. The numbers of neurons in the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei were 14, 11, and 16 times greater in monkeys than in rats, whereas the numbers of neurons in the central and medial nuclei were only 2.3 and 1.5 times greater in monkeys than in rats. Neuron density was between 2.4 and 3.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats, whereas glial density was only between 1.1 and 1.7 times lower in monkeys than in rats. We compare our data in rats and monkeys with those previously published in humans and discuss the theoretical and functional implications that derive from our quantitative structural findings.
KW - Amygdaloid complex
KW - Astrocyte
KW - Human
KW - Neuron
KW - Neuropil
KW - Oligodendrocyte
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80052790885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80052790885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/cne.22677
DO - 10.1002/cne.22677
M3 - Article
C2 - 21618234
AN - SCOPUS:80052790885
VL - 519
SP - 3218
EP - 3239
JO - Journal of Comparative Neurology
JF - Journal of Comparative Neurology
SN - 0021-9967
IS - 16
ER -