Reward Learning Requires Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in the Central Amygdala

Learning how to avoid danger and pursue reward depends on negative emotions motivating aversive learning and positive emotions motivating appetitive learning. The amygdala is a key component of the brain emotional system; however, an understanding of how various emotions are differentially processed in the amygdala has yet to be achieved. We report that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, extracellularly operating enzyme) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is crucial for appetitive, but not for aversive, learning in mice. The knock-out of MMP-9 impairs appetitively motivated conditioning, but not an aversive one. MMP-9 is present at the excitatory synapses in the CeA with its activity greatly enhanced after the appetitive training. Finally, blocking extracellular MMP-9 activity with its inhibitor TIMP-1 provides evidence that local MMP-9 activity in the CeA is crucial for the appetitive, but not for aversive, learning.