The roles of basolateral amygdala in regulation of optimism and pessimism

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21807
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 10:Psychology and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: ZHANG Qi 筑波大学, 人間系, 助教 (20525604)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: optimism and pessimism / basolateral amygadla / neural circuit / fiber photometry / calcium imaging / optogenetics

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human beings show different personality stereotype in their ways of thinking: either more optimistic or more pessimistic. Although fMRI studies in humans implicate that prefrontal cortex and amygdala are involved, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying optimism and pessimism are poorly understood and can only be fully examined in animal models. To date no study has been really done to investigate the cellular and neural circuit mechanisms underlying optimism and pessimism. Current project used advanced behavioral analysis, calcium imaging and optogenetics technology to identify the critical neural populations in basolateral amygdala responsible for optimism and pessimism. This project will provide a new approach for health improvement, and prevention and therapeutic invention of many diseases. It will also deepen our understandings on the neural mechanisms mediating personality stereotypes, which is becoming a hot topic in neuroscience.

Free Research Field

Psychology, Neuroscience, Neurology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Successful living requires a fine balance between optimistic and pessimistic thinking. Understanding of the neural circuit mechanisms underlying optimism and pessimism will provide a new approach for health improvement, and prevention and therapeutic invention of many diseases.