PhD Scientific Days 2026

Neurosciences

The Role of the Median Raphe in the Encoding of Fear Memories

Előadó neve

Mr. Zsoldos, Tamás

Neptune code

SF3F1E

Előadó munkahelye

HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine

Előadó telefonszáma

06305836993

Előadó e-mail címe

zsoldos.tamas@stud.semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

The Role of the Median Raphe in the Encoding of Fear Memories

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Tamás Zsoldos¹, Áron Orosz¹, Virág Takács¹, Gábor Nyiri¹

1: HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Neurosciences

Language of the presentation

Hungarian

Preferred session

Neurosciences

Összefoglaló szövege

The median raphe region (MRR) is a brainstem center that regulates mood. It is known that this area plays a role in the processing of negative experiences. However, to date, we have limited information regarding the role of cells containing the type III vesicular glutamate transporter (vGluT3) in the MRR during this process. The target cell selectivity of these cells, the environmental factors that activate them, and how they influence memory processes remain unknown.

We used histological techniques to identify target cells and c-fos staining to determine activity, then visualized the sections using light, epifluorescent, and confocal laser microscopy. Behavioral tests were performed using optogenetics in contextual fear conditioning and trace-fear conditioning paradigms.

MRR vGluT3 cells form distinct clusters around calbindin-expressing interneurons in the stratum lacunosum of the hippocampus (HIPP). An increase in c-fos expression was demonstrated in MRR vGluT3 cells projecting to the HIPP following shock. Optogenetic inhibition of MRR vGluT3 cells disrupted the association between the aversive shock and the context. Furthermore, in the trace-fear conditioning paradigm, following inhibition, the animals were unable to associate the neutral auditory cue with the aversive shock.

These results indicate that MRR vGluT3 cells projecting from the HIPP play a significant role in the formation and processing of fear-related memories. The increased c-fos expression suggests that these cells exhibited greater activity in response to the aversive stimulus. Furthermore, these neurons are necessary for linking the foot shock and the neutral cue, as well as their contextual background. The MRR vGluT3 cells likely transmit negative salience information to the HIPP and mark potentially negative memories.

National Academy of Sciences, EKÖP, Ödön Kerpel-Fronius Scholarship

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Dr. Gábor Nyiri

Publication of my abstract

I do not give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

before finishing undergraduate studies (TDK, MD-PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem hagyta jóvá

Előadó

9050

Start

14:30

End

14:40