Optogenetic dissection of hypothalamic modulation of hippocampal memory

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14357
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: McHugh Thomas 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, チームリーダー (50553731)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: hypothalamus / hippocampus / social behaivor

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The afferent and efferents of the hippocampus have been well characterized in regards to their role in learning and memory. Perhaps some of the least understood connections however, are those between the hypothalamus and the dorsal DG and CA2 subfields. Here we used an optogenetic behavioral approach that uses a region specific Cre-driver mouse lines targeting the supramammillary nucleus to gain precise temporal control of the inputs from these hypothalamic nuclei to hippocampus. Manipulation of these inputs in the hippocampus revealed task specific modulation of hippocampal behavior, with the CA2 projections altering social behavior and the DG inputs altering spatial behavior.

Free Research Field

neuroscience