Abstract
Research in fear conditioning has provided a comprehensive picture of the neuronal circuit underlying the formation of fear memories. In contrast, our understanding of the retrieval of fear memories is much more limited. This disparity may stem from the fact that fear memories are not rigid, but reorganize over time. To bring some clarity and raise awareness about the time-dependent dynamics of retrieval circuits, we review current evidence on the neuronal circuitry participating in fear memory retrieval at both early and late time points following auditory fear conditioning. We focus on the temporal recruitment of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) for the retrieval and maintenance of fear memories. Finally, we speculate as to why retrieval circuits change with time, and consider the functional strategy of recruiting structures not previously considered as part of the retrieval circuit.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by NIMH grant K99-MH105549 to F.H.D.-M.; NIMH grants R37-MH058883 and P50-MH086400 to G.J.Q.; NIMH grant R01-MH101214 to B.L.; and the Intramural Research Program of the NIMH to M.A.P.
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Do Monte, F., Quirk, G., Li, B. et al. Retrieving fear memories, as time goes by…. Mol Psychiatry 21, 1027–1036 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2016.78
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2016.78
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