Abstract
Research in fear conditioning has provided a comprehensive picture of the neuronal circuit underlying the formation of fear memories. In contrast, our understanding of the retrieval of fear memories is much more limited. This disparity may stem from the fact that fear memories are not rigid, but reorganize over time. To bring some clarity and raise awareness about the time-dependent dynamics of retrieval circuits, we review current evidence on the neuronal circuitry participating in fear memory retrieval at both early and late time points following auditory fear conditioning. We focus on the temporal recruitment of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) for the retrieval and maintenance of fear memories. Finally, we speculate as to why retrieval circuits change with time, and consider the functional strategy of recruiting structures not previously considered as part of the retrieval circuit.
🔬 Techniques
✨ Fluorophores
🧪 Sample Preparation
🏛️ Research Organizations (ROR)
Affiliated research institutions:
📊 Figures
Fig. 1
Temporal reorganization of the circuits necessary for retrieval of auditory fear memories
Left - Retrieval of fear memories at early time points after conditioning recruits reciprocal activity between the amygdala and PL. During early retrieval, the conditioned tone activates auditory thal...
Fig. 2
Recruitment of PVT into the fear circuit may serve to integrate aversive memories with adaptive biological responses
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is reciprocally interconnected with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the hypothalamus (Hypo), and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). In ad...
Figure images are served from the NIH/NLM PubMed Central Open Access Subset or Europe PMC; copyright remains with the publishers and authors.
💬 Discussion
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