Encoding of social novelty by sparse GABAergic neural ensembles in the prelimbic cortex.

ABSTRACT: Although the prelimbic (PrL) area is associated with social behaviors, the neural ensembles that regulate social preference toward novelty or familiarity remain unknown. Using miniature two-photon microscopy (mTPM) to visualize social behavior-associated neuronal activity within the PrL in freely behaving mice, we found that the Ca²⁺ transients of GABAergic neurons were more highly correlated with social behaviors than those of glutamatergic neurons. Chemogenetic suppression of social behavior-activated GABAergic neurons in the PrL disrupts social novelty behaviors. Restoring the MeCP2 level in PrL GABAergic neurons in MECP2 transgenic (MECP2-TG) mice rescues the social novelty deficits. Moreover, we identified and characterized sparsely distributed NewPNs and OldP

SUBMITTER: Zhao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9432833 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature