TY - JOUR T1 - Cell-Type Specificity of Neuronal Excitability and Morphology in the Central Amygdala JF - eneuro JO - eNeuro DO - 10.1523/ENEURO.0402-20.2020 SP - ENEURO.0402-20.2020 AU - Anisha P. Adke AU - Aleisha Khan AU - Hye-Sook Ahn AU - Jordan J. Becker AU - Torri D. Wilson AU - Spring Valdivia AU - Yae K. Sugimura AU - Santiago Martinez Gonzalez AU - Yarimar Carrasquillo Y1 - 2020/11/13 UR - http://www.eneuro.org/content/early/2020/11/10/ENEURO.0402-20.2020.abstract N2 - Central amygdala (CeA) neurons expressing protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ+) or somatostatin (Som+) differentially modulate diverse behaviors. The underlying features supporting cell-type-specific function in the CeA, however, remain unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse brain slices and biocytin-based neuronal reconstructions, we demonstrate that neuronal morphology and relative excitability are two distinguishing features between Som+ and PKCδ+ neurons in the laterocapsular subdivision of the CeA (CeLC). Som+ neurons, for example, are more excitable, compact, and with more complex dendritic arborizations than PKCδ+ neurons. Cell size, intrinsic membrane properties, and anatomic localization were further shown to correlate with cell-type-specific differences in excitability. Lastly, in the context of neuropathic pain, we show a shift in the excitability equilibrium between PKCδ+ and Som+ neurons, suggesting that imbalances in the relative output of these cells underlie maladaptive changes in behaviors. Together, our results identify fundamentally important distinguishing features of PKCδ+ and Som+ cells that support cell-type-specific function in the CeA.Significance Statement Genetically distinct neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) are functionally opposed in the modulation of many behavioral outputs, including fear and pain-related behaviors. In this study, we use whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in acute mouse brain slices in combination with molecular genetics and biocytin-based neuronal reconstructions to characterize protein kinase Cδ-expressing (PKCδ+) and somatostatin-expressing (Som+) neurons in the CeA. Our experiments revealed striking differences in both electrophysiological and morphologic properties of these two subpopulations of CeA neurons, Som+ neurons are more excitable, compact, and have more complex dendritic arborizations compared with PKCδ+ neurons. These results support the notion that genetically distinct CeA neurons have differing functions and properties, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cellular and functional heterogeneity in the CeA. ER -