Heterogeneous associative plasticity in the auditory cortex induced by fear learning - novel insight into the classical conditioning paradigm

Physiol Res. 2021 Jul 12;70(3):447-460. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934559. Epub 2021 May 12.

Abstract

We used two-photon calcium imaging with single-cell and cell-type resolution. Fear conditioning induced heterogeneous tuning shifts at single-cell level in the auditory cortex, with shifts both to CS+ frequency and to the control CS- stimulus frequency. We thus extend the view of simple expansion of CS+ tuned regions. Instead of conventional freezing reactions only, we observe selective orienting responses towards the conditioned stimuli. The orienting responses were often followed by escape behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Animals
  • Auditory Cortex / physiology*
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology*
  • Electroshock
  • Fear / psychology*
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*