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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.)

Evidence for the thalamic targets of the medial hypothalamic defensive system mediating emotional memory to predatory threats

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Author(s):
Carvalho-Netto, Eduardo F. [1] ; Martinez, Raquel C. R. [1] ; Baldo, Marcus Vinicius C. [2] ; Canteras, Newton Sabino [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Anat, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Physiol & Biophys, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY; v. 93, n. 4, p. 479-486, MAY 2010.
Web of Science Citations: 20
Abstract

Previous studies from our laboratory have documented that the medial hypothalamic defensive system is critically involved in processing actual and contextual predatory threats, and that the dorsal premammillary nucleus (PMd) represents the hypothalamic site most responsive to predatory threats. Anatomical findings suggest that the PMd is in a position to modulate memory processing through a projecting branch to specific thalamic nuclei, i.e., the nucleus reuniens (RE) and the ventral part of the anteromedial nucleus (AMv). In the present study, we investigated the role of these thalamic targets in both unconditioned (i.e., fear responses to predatory threat) and conditioned (i.e., contextual responses to predator-related cues) defensive behaviors. During cat exposure, all experimental groups exhibited intense defensive responses with the animals spending most of the time in the home cage displaying freezing behavior. However, during exposure to the environment previously associated with a cat, the animals with combined RE + AMv lesions, and to a lesser degree, animals with single AMv unilateral lesions, but not animals with single RE lesions, presented a reduction of contextual conditioned defensive responses. Overall, the present results provide clear evidence suggesting that the PMd's main thalamic targets (i.e., the nucleus reuniens and the AMv) seem to be critically involved in the emotional memory processing related to predator cues. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/59286-4 - Neural bases for motivated behavior
Grantee:Newton Sabino Canteras
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants