Intercalated cells of the amygdala
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The Intercalated cells of the amygdala (ITC or ICCs) are GABAergic neurons situated between the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala that play a significant role in inhibitory control over the amygdala.[1] They regulate amygdala-dependent emotional processing like fear memory and social behavior. Their function has been best studied with selective ITC ablation which impairs fear extinction, fear generalization, and social behavior.[2][3] Studies have begun to recognize that ITC clusters may be implicated in reward, addiction, and withdrawal circuits given their heavy expression of dopamine and opioid receptors.[4]
In rodents, ITCs are organized into distinct clusters that wrap the basolateral amygdala (BLA).[5] Each cluster is unique in connectivity, intrinsic properties, and function.[5][6][7] These clusters are named by their location relative to the BLA with medial ITC clusters towards the central amygdala.
ITC cells are thought to play a role as the "off" switch for the amygdala, inhibiting the amygdala's central nucleus output neurons and its basolateral nucleus neurons.[1] The ITC clusters work together to activate either "fear promoting" or "fear extinction" pathways within the amygdala.[6] Some researchers speculate that ITC cells could serve as a substrate for the expression and storage of extinction memory via their extensive local inhibition within the amygdala.[1]