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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Revealing a Cortical Circuit Responsive to Predatory Threats and Mediating Contextual Fear Memory

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Author(s):
Xavier de Lima, Miguel Antonio [1] ; Baldo, Marcus Vinicius C. [2] ; Canteras, Newton Sabino [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Anat, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: CEREBRAL CORTEX; v. 29, n. 7, p. 3074-3090, JUL 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

The ventral part of the anteromedial thalamic nucleus (AMv) receives substantial inputs from hypothalamic sites that are highly responsive to a live predator or its odor trace and represents an important thalamic hub for conveying predatory threat information to the cerebral cortex. In the present study, we begin by examining the cortico-amygdalar-hippocampal projections of the main AMv cortical targets, namely, the caudal prelimbic, rostral anterior cingulate, and medial visual areas, as well as the rostral part of the ventral retrosplenial area, one of the main targets of the anterior cingulate area. We observed that these areas form a clear cortical network. Next, we revealed that in animals exposed to a live cat, all of the elements of this circuit presented a differential increase in Fos, supporting the idea of a predator threat-responsive cortical network. Finally, we showed that bilateral cytotoxic lesions in each element of this cortical network did not change innate fear responses but drastically reduced contextual conditioning to the predator-associated environment. Overall, the present findings suggest that predator threat has an extensive representation in the cerebral cortex and revealed a cortical network that is responsive to predatory threats and exerts a critical role in processing fear memory. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/05432-9 - Neural bases of fear and aggression
Grantee:Newton Sabino Canteras
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 16/10389-0 - Involvement of prefrontal cortex areas and their targets in fear memory processing: a study with drug and optogenetic techniques
Grantee:Miguel Antonio Xavier de Lima
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral