Prefrontal microcircuit underlies contextual learning after hippocampal loss
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013, 110 (24), pp. 9938 - 9943
- Issue Date:
- 2013-06-11
Open Access
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Open Access
This item is open access.
Specific brain circuits have been classically linked to dedicated functions. However, compensation following brain damage suggests that these circuits are capable of dynamic adaptation. Such compensation is exemplified by Pavlovian fear conditioning following damage to the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Although the DH normally underlies contextual fear and fear renewal after extinction, both can be learned in the absence of the DH, although the mechanisms and nature of this compensation are currently unknown. Here, we report that recruitment of alternate structures, specifically the infralimbic and prelimbic prefrontal cortices, is required for compensation following damage to the hippocampus. Disconnection of these cortices in DH-compromised animals and immediate early gene induction profiles for amygdala-projecting prefrontal cells revealed that communication and dynamic rebalancing within this prefrontal microcircuit is critical. Additionally, the infralimbic cortex normally plays a role in limiting generalization of contextual fear. These discoveries reveal that plasticity through recruitment of alternate circuits allows the brain to compensate following damage, offering promise for targeted treatment of memory disorders.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: