Oxytocin modulates inhibitory balance in the prelimbic cortex to support social memory consolidation during REM sleep.

ABSTRACT: Rationale: The prelimbic cortex (PrL), enriched with oxytocin (OXT) receptors, plays a critical role in memory consolidation. However, the role of OXT in social memory consolidation within the PrL microcircuit remains poorly understood. Methods: To examine the role of OXT signaling in social memory consolidation, we used OXT biosensors and loss-of-function approaches, including tetanus toxin-mediated silencing of OXT neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN^OXT), optogenetic inhibition of the PVN^OXT-PrL pathway during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, and local administration of an OXT receptor antagonist in the PrL. In vivo molecular biosensors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin, and presynaptic calcium imaging were employed to

SUBMITTER: Liu YC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11905142 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature