Presynaptic NR2A-Containing NMDARs Are Required for LTD between the Amygdala and the Perirhinal Cortex: A Potential Mechanism for the Emotional Modulation of Memory?

Emotional events are better remembered than emotionally neutral events. The ability of memory enhancement by emotion is dependent on amygdala-mediated alterations of synaptic activity.
Visual recognition memory relies on long-term depression-like mechanisms within the perirhinal cortex and the activation of the lateral amygdala can enhance visual recognition memory. How the lateral amygdala regulates recognition memory is not known, but synaptic plasticity at amygdala−perirhinal synapses may provide a mechanism for the emotional enhancement of recognition memory. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms of long-term depression (LTD) at the amygdala−perirhinal synapse in male Lister Hooded rats. We demonstrate that LTD at this input relies on NR2A-containing NMDARs, located presynaptically. Therefore, the underlying mechanisms of LTD, at the amygdala−perirhinal input, which may regulate the emotional context for recognition memory, are different to previously described postsynaptic NR2B−NMDAR mechanisms of intraperirhinal LTD that subserve recognition memory.