Dopamine-mediated formation of a memory module in the nucleus accumbens for goal-directed navigation.

ABSTRACT: Spatial memories guide navigation efficiently toward desired destinations. However, the neuronal and circuit mechanisms underlying the encoding of goal locations and its translation into goal-directed navigation remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that mice rapidly form a spatial memory of a shelter during shelter experiences, guiding escape behavior toward the goal location-a shelter-when under threat. Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and their projection to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) encode safety signals associated with the shelter. Optogenetically induced phasic dopamine signals are sufficient to create a place memory that directs escape navigation. Converging dopaminergic and hippocampal glutamatergic inputs to the NAc mediate the formation of a goal-related memory

SUBMITTER: Jung K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11537966 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature