Theta-paced stimulation of the thalamic nucleus reuniens entrains mPFC-HPC oscillations and facilitates the acquisition of extinction memories.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The nucleus reuniens (RE) is a midline thalamic nucleus interconnecting the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC), structures known to be involved in aversive memory processes. Recent work indicates that the RE plays a critical role in the acquisition and retrieval of fear extinction memories. Functional inactivation of the RE impairs both mPFC-HPC coherence and extinction memory. Here we examine whether imposing theta activity on the RE entrains oscillations in the mPFC and HPC and facilitates extinction learning.

Methods

To deliver theta-paced (8 Hz) optogenetic stimulation, we expressed an excitatory opsin, (channelrhodopsin; AAV9-CaMKIIa-hChR2(H134R)-mCherry) or control virus (AAV9-CaMKIIa-mCherry) in the RE in male and female rats. A singl

SUBMITTER: Tuna T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12363944 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature