Disrupted maternal care alters neural-microglia interactions in the primate paralaminar (PL) nucleus of the amygdala

The paralaminar nucleus (PL) of the amygdala is an important substrate for the delayed post-natal development of the amygdala in human and nonhuman primates. Gradually maturing glutamatergic neurons in this region, and the microglia that support them, are exposed to life events which may shape their development. We recently found that maternal separation in infants produces aberrant hyper-ramified microglia in the PL beginning in infancy and persisting into adolescence. Examining neuron-microglial interactions in the same cohort, we now find Increased phagocytic engulfment of synaptic elements by microglia after maternal separation in infancy only, with a reduction in PL mature neurons that is apparent by adolescence. Together these data suggest a mechanism for altered PL maturation, instigated by disrupted maternal care.