Oxytocin in the prefrontal cortex: from neuromodulation of the local circuit to fear extinction (C05)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 243553651

Our project is focused on the role of neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the ventral hippocampus (vHippo)-based control of social behaviour. We propose that OT in the vHippo CA1 region is crucial for formation of local functional neuronal assembles involved in processing of social memories. Our preliminary data provide evidence for the existence of heterogeneous OT-receptive microcircuit, composed of interneurons expressing calcium binding protein parvalbumin and sub-type of CA1 pyramidal cells in vHippo. This local network segregates the OT-receptive output pyramidal cells into specific pathway transferring OT-driven information to long-distance targets (such as the accessory olfactory bulb). We will demonstrate how this newly described local and distant functionally connected neuronal ensembles contribute to the formation of social memory and social behaviour.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1134: Functional ensembles: cellular components, patterned activity and plasticity of co-active neurons in local networks
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Valery Grinevich