Study of ventral hippocampal activity and dorsolateral PAG during exposure to a predatory context

Abstract

Combining in vivo electrophysiological recording (single neurons and local field potential) and behavioral analysis, we shall characterize electrophysiological activity in both ventral hippocampus and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAGdl) during habituation to a novel environment, and during exposure to a predator and its associated context. In this way, we shall explore possible correlated between electrical activity in the hippocampus and PAGdl and different forms of defensive responses. We next shall examine the impact of PAGdl inactivation during predator exposure and evaluate possible changes in the hippocampal electrical activity and anti-predatory behaviors. In the last group of experiments, we shall evaluate the role of a circuit formed by the anterior hypothalamic nucleus / perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamus and the lateral septal nucleus in the ventral hippocampus electrical activity and in the behavioral activity in animals expose to the predatory context.