Integrity of the Uncinate Fasciculus is Associated with Emotional Pattern Separation-Related fMRI Signals in the Hippocampal Dentate and CA3.

Integrity of the Uncinate Fasciculus is Associated with Emotional Pattern Separation-Related fMRI Signals in the Hippocampal Dentate and CA3. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2020 Dec 04;:107359 Authors: Granger SJ, Leal SL, Saraí Larson M, Janecek JT, McMillan L, Stern H, Yassa MA Abstract Alterations in white matter integrity have been demonstrated in a number of psychiatric disorders involving emotional disruptions. One such pathway - the uncinate fasciculus - connects the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) to the medial temporal lobes (MTL) and has been associated with early life adversity, maltreatment, anxiety, and depression. While it is purported to play a role in episodic memory and discrimination, its exact function remains poorly understood. We have previously described the role of the amygdala and dentate (DG)/CA3 fields of the hippocampus in the mnemonic discrimination of emotional experiences (i.e. emotional pattern separation). However, how this computation may be modulated by connectivity with the orbitofrontal cortex remains unknown. Here we asked if the uncinate fasciculus plays a role in influencing MTL subregional activity during emotional pattern separation. By combining diffusion imaging with high-resolution fMRI, we found that reduced integrity of the UF is related to elevated BOLD fMRI activation of the DG/CA3 subregions of the hippocampus during emotional lure discrimination. We additionally report that higher levels of DG/CA3 ...
Source: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Neurobiol Learn Mem Source Type: research