INTRODUCTION: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in numerous cognitive functions, including memory processing. While substantial evidence links the mPFC to short-term memory maintenance, its role in long-term memory processes remains less understood. Spatial memories are thought to initially be encoded in the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit, and consecutively be transferred into the cortex via memory consolidation. In the mPFC space is represented in an abstract form, as opposed to the spatial representation by so-called place cells in the hippocampus. A substantial proportion of mPFC cells exhibits activity related to rewards and reward expectancy.

AIM(S): We investigate how the rat mPFC contributes to spatial memory across different retention intervals. We examine at what stage place-related activity emerges in relation to the spatial learning, and test whether reward locations are disproportionally represented in the mPFC at different times.

METHOD(S): For this, we perform extracellular recordings in the prelimbic area of the mPFC in freely moving rats with chronically implanted Neuropixels probes. Electrophysiological and behavioral data is collected before and throughout the entire learning phase, and during short- and long-term memory retrieval phases of an adapted cheeseboard task.

RESULTS:

CONCLUSIONS: