Amygdala-projecting solitary tract nucleus (NTS) neurons are predominately higher order

Abstract

The amygdala receives visceral information via the solitary tract nucleus (NTS). Although previous studies suggest broad interaction between visceral, NTS and other central information, little is known about amygdala‐projecting NTS neurons (e.g. 2nd order or higher). Here, we examined interactions between solitary tract (ST) afferents and NTS neurons projecting to the central nucleus of the amygdala (NTS‐CeA). To identify NTS‐CeA projection neurons, fluorescent retrograde tracers were injected into CeA. Later in 250 μM horizontal slices, we recorded from tracer filled NTS‐CeA neurons. Graded intensity ST shocks evoked postsynaptic currents (PSC) whose responses became more complex with incre..