Dynamic changes in neural circuitry during adolescence are associated with persistent attenuation of fear memories.

ABSTRACT: Fear can be highly adaptive in promoting survival, yet it can also be detrimental when it persists long after a threat has passed. Flexibility of the fear response may be most advantageous during adolescence when animals are prone to explore novel, potentially threatening environments. Two opposing adolescent fear-related behaviours-diminished extinction of cued fear and suppressed expression of contextual fear-may serve this purpose, but the neural basis underlying these changes is unknown. Using microprisms to image prefrontal cortical spine maturation across development, we identify dynamic BLA-hippocampal-mPFC circuit reorganization associated with these behavioural shifts. Exploiting this sensitive period of neural development, we modified existing behavioural interventions in an age-

SUBMITTER: Pattwell SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4890178 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature