Recent studies indicate that the infralimbic cortex (IL), a subregion within the medial prefrontal cortex, is primarily involved in the expression of safety learning, with no significant role in the initial consolidation. In this context, the IL receives input from another brain region facilitating the initial acquisition of both threat and safety learning, suggesting a downstream projection. It is speculated that the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) plays a pivotal role in safety learning and expression, potentially establishing direct connections with the IL to allow for the expression of safety-related responses. Previous studies investigating the role of the IL have predominantly focused on male subjects, despite established sex differences in learning threat and safety signals. As such, it is imperative to comprehensively examine the neural circuitry underlying safety learning in both sexes. We found a significant main effect test type [F(,1,26) = 7.44, p < 0.05], with rats freezing less during the safety stimulus compared to the period preceding the safety stimulus (i.e., context alone period). There was no significant effect of sex and no sex X-test type interaction. Our tissue analysis work is still ongoing as we expand our understanding of neural mechanisms and sex-based differences, utilizing behavioral and neuropharmacological testing methods to investigate the presence of projections from the PVT to the IL and the selective activation during safety expression in male and female rats.
Author(s): R. Turner, C. Schreiber, J. Wells, A. Reichert, A. Ogunnowo, J. Quinn
Advisor(s): Jennifer Quinn; Amanda Reichert; Psychology Department
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