Hippocampal-Prefrontal Theta Transmission Regulates Avoidance Behavior.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Padilla-Coreano N, Canetta S, Mikofsky R, Alway E, Passecker J, Myroshnychenko M, Garcia-Garcia A, Warren R, Teboul E, Blackman D, Morton M, Hupalo S, Tye K, Kellendonk C, Kupferschmidt D, Gordon J |
| Journal | Neuron |
| Volume | 104 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pagination | 601-610.e4 |
| Date Published | 09/11/2019 |
| ISSN | 1097-4199 |
| Keywords | Avoidance Learning, Electrophysiological Phenomena, Hippocampus, Prefrontal Cortex, Theta Rhythm |
| Abstract | Long-range synchronization of neural oscillations correlates with distinct behaviors, yet its causal role remains unproven. In mice, tests of avoidance behavior evoke increases in theta-frequency (∼8 Hz) oscillatory synchrony between the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). To test the causal role of this synchrony, we dynamically modulated vHPC-mPFC terminal activity using optogenetic stimulation. Oscillatory stimulation at 8 Hz maximally increased avoidance behavior compared to 2, 4, and 20 Hz. Moreover, avoidance behavior was selectively increased when 8-Hz stimulation was delivered in an oscillatory, but not pulsatile, manner. Furthermore, 8-Hz oscillatory stimulation enhanced vHPC-mPFC neurotransmission and entrained neural activity in the vHPC-mPFC network, resulting in increased synchrony between vHPC theta activity and mPFC spiking. These data suggest a privileged role for vHPC-mPFC theta-frequency communication in generating avoidance behavior and provide direct evidence that synchronized oscillations play a role in facilitating neural transmission and behavior. |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.08.006 |
| PubMed ID | 31521441 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC6842114 |