Research/Areas of Interest
Valence assignment, the process of attributing positive or negative value to emotionally salient stimuli, is essential for survival. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is an emotional processing hub which plays a critical role in both positive and negative valence processing. Previous work by the Maguire Lab and others has shown that specific GABAergic interneurons in the BLA modulate neural oscillations, the rhythmic firing of neurons in synchrony. However, much remains unknown regarding the collaborative efforts of distinct interneuron subtypes in shaping valence-specific network states and how this information is integrated to select an appropriate behavioral response. Utilizing ex vivo and in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetic techniques, I aim to investigate the recruitment and activity of functionally distinct inhibitory interneurons and the corresponding neural oscillations underlying the encoding and use of valence-specific information within the BLA.