Induction of activity synchronization among primed hippocampal neurons out of random dynamics is key for trace memory formation and retrieval.

ABSTRACT: Memory is thought to be encoded by sparsely distributed neuronal ensembles in memory-related regions. However, it is unclear how memory-eligible neurons react during learning to encode trace fear memory and how they retrieve a memory. We implemented a fiber-optic confocal fluorescence endomicroscope to directly visualize calcium dynamics of hippocampal CA1 neurons in freely behaving mice subjected to trace fear conditioning. Here we report that the overall activity levels of CA1 neurons showed a right-skewed lognormal distribution, with a small portion of highly active neurons (termed Primed Neurons) filling the long-tail. Repetitive training induced Primed Neurons to shift from random activity to well-tuned synchronization. The emergence of activity synchronization coincided with the appe

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7079015 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature