Differential role of nitric oxide in long-term potentiation in the medial and lateral amygdala

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors on the induction of long-term potentiation in the amygdala were investigated using rat brain slice preparations in vitro. In the medial amygdala synapses, sodium nitroprusside (10 mu M) and hydroxylamine (100 mu M), when applied together with a weak tetanic stimulation, significantly facilitated the induction of long-term potentiation. The NO donors showed no effect in the lateral amygdala synapses. These results suggest that NO plays a role in facilitating the induction of long-term potentiation in the medial amygdala but not in the lateral amygdala.