Top: Representative images showing the spatial localization of labeled dmPFC neurons with BFP (blue) or retrobeads (red), taken using 10 X (upper) or 40 X (lower) objectives. The majority of labelled neurons were located in layer II/III of dmPFC. Scale bars, 100 μm (10 X) and 25 μm (40 X). Bottom: Summary on the neural circuit mediating the transition from memory retrieval to freezing behavior. Presentation of CS+ activates LA neurons and TeA neurons. The activated LA neurons activate dmPFC T-neurons, which in turn activate dmPFC S-neurons and LC neurons. S-neurons receive inputs from TeA and send their outputs to BLA, which projects to PAG to enable freezing behavior. Activated LC neurons release NE in the dmPFC via their projections.
Which neural circuits allow memory retrieval to influence behaviors? This study shows how #fear #memory activation initiates & sustains #FreezingBehavior in mice via the interplay of #norepinephrine & activation of different prefrontal #neuron subtypes @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3TGqt7a