Trace and contextual fear conditioning require neural activity and NMDA receptor-dependent transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex

• Published in: Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 289 - 296
• Main Authors: Gilmartin, Marieke R., Helmstetter, Fred J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Brain; Comparative Analysis; Conditioning; Conditioning, Classical - physiology; Fear; Fear - physiology; Feedback (Response); GABA Agonists - pharmacology; Learning Processes; Male; Memory; Memory - physiology; Muscimol - pharmacology; Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Prefrontal Cortex - drug effects; Prefrontal Cortex - physiology; Rats; Rats, Long-Evans; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - metabolism; Synaptic Transmission - drug effects; Synaptic Transmission - physiology; Valine - analogs & derivatives; Valine - pharmacology

The contribution of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to the formation of memory is a subject of considerable recent interest. Notably, the mechanisms supporting memory acquisition in this structure are poorly understood. The mPFC has been implicated in the acquisition of trace fear conditioning,...