Topographic representation of current and future threats in the mouse nociceptive amygdala

Adaptive behavior requires using both memories and ongoing experience. Here, the authors find that amygdala neurons topographically encode sensory stimuli including predicted versus ongoing threats to contribute to appropriate behaviors. Adaptive behaviors arise from an integration of current sensory context and internal representations of past experiences. The central amygdala (CeA) is positioned as a key integrator of cognitive and affective signals, yet it remains unknown whether individual populations simultaneously carry current- and future-state representations. We find that a primary nociceptive population within the CeA of mice, defined by CGRP-receptor (Calcrl) expression, receives topographic sensory information, with spatially defined representations of internal and external stimuli. While Calcrl+ neurons in both the rostral and caudal CeA respond to noxious stimuli, rostral neurons promote locomotor responses to externally sourced threats, while caudal CeA Calcrl+ neurons are activated by internal threats and promote passive coping behaviors and associative valence coding. During associative fear learning, rostral CeA Calcrl+ neurons stably encode noxious stimulus occurrence, while caudal CeA Calcrl+ neurons acquire predictive responses. This arrangement supports valence-aligned representations of current and future threats for the generation of adaptive behaviors.

Automated summary

Adaptive behavior requires the use of both memories and ongoing experience. Amygdala neurons in mice encode sensory information to contribute to appropriate behaviors in response to both predicted and ongoing threats. The central amygdala (CeA), specifically the Calcrl-expressing population, receives spatially defined representations of internal and external stimuli, with different regions of the CeA responding to different types of threats and promoting different behaviors. The rostral CeA neurons promote locomotor responses to externally sourced threats, while the caudal CeA neurons are activated by internal threats and promote passive coping behaviors and associative valence coding. During associative fear learning, rostral CeA neurons stably encode the occurrence of noxious stimuli, while caudal CeA neurons acquire predictive responses, allowing for valence-aligned representations of current and future threats for the generation of adaptive behaviors.