The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is the major output hub of the amygdala complex, playing a critical role in fear conditioning, anxiety, and emotional learning. The CeA is anatomically and functionally distinct from the basolateral amygdala (BLA), serving as the primary site for emotion-related behaviors and stress responses. [1][2]
The CeA contains distinct neuronal populations:
| Neuron Type | Markers | Function |
|---|---|---|
| PKCδ+ neurons | Protein kinase C delta | Fear expression, aversive learning |
| Somatostatin neurons | SST | Anxiety regulation |
| Corticotropin neurons | CRH | Stress response |
| Projection neurons | CeA→brainstem | Autonomic output |
The CeA is affected in several neurodegenerative conditions:
| Target | Approach | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| CRH receptor | Antagonist | Preclinical |
| PKCδ modulation | Small molecule | Discovery |
| SST signaling | Agonist | Preclinical |
Duvarci, S. et al. The central amygdala. (2011). 2011. ↩︎
Phelps, E.A. et al. Emotion and cognition. (2008). 2008. ↩︎