Effects of feeding and insulin on extracellular acetylcholine in the amygdala of freely moving rats
Abstract
Extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in the central nucleus of the amygdala using microdialysis in 20-min intervals before, during, and after 1 h feeding in food-deprived rats. The results were compared to the effects of peripheral injections of glucose or 'low' (200 mU) and 'high' (1 U) doses of insulin. Feeding caused a 40% increase in extracellular ACh in the amygdala during the hour-long meal. Acetylcholine returned to baseline 1 h after food was removed. Systemic injections of either glucose or insulin in ad libitum fed rats also resulted in an increase in ACh levels (+50-60%), but with a different time course. Glucose elevated ACh to a plateau within 20 min for an hour's duration; whereas both doses of insulin caused a peak in ACh release in the first 20 min followed by gradual return to baseline. The 'low' and 'high' doses of insulin had similar effects on ACh release even though they had different hypoglycemic potency as measured in blood samples. These results suggest that ACh in the AMY is involved in feeding and the response to glucose utilization.
References
Influence of acetylcholine on neuronal activity of monkey amygdala during bar press feeding behavior
Citations
Selective Enhancement of Dopamine Release in the Ventral Pallidum of Methamphetamine-Sensitized Mice
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Amygdala: Sensory Processes
Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.
Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine
The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.