Ventromedial prefrontal neurons represent self-states shaped by vicarious fear in male mice

ACA (Anterior cingulate area) MBA:31 functionally connects to Isocortex MBA:315 · Mouse

Halorhodopsin silencing of ACC axon terminals in the vmPFC during observational fear changed vmPFC calcium activity. Freezing-negative neurons no longer showed increased activity at the demonstrator's shock, and shock-activated neurons lost their negative correlation with freezing. The authors conclude that this subpopulation's mixed selectivity depends on ACC input.

Fig. 6a–h; Results, 'Physiological activity in the vmPFC during inhibition of the ACC-vmPFC and BLA-vmPFC pathways'

Made by an AI model reading the paper (claude-opus-5-5, extract@0.3.0); a second AI model (claude-opus-5-5) agrees.

BLA (Basolateral amygdalar nucleus) MBA:295 functionally connects to Isocortex MBA:315 · Mouse

Halorhodopsin silencing of BLA axon terminals in the vmPFC changed vmPFC calcium activity during observational fear. Shock-suppressed neurons lost their positive freezing correlation, and freezing-positive neurons lost their negative correlation with shock timing. This indicates BLA input shapes the freezing-positive/shock-suppressed subpopulation.

Fig. 6i–p; Results, 'Physiological activity in the vmPFC during inhibition of the ACC-vmPFC and BLA-vmPFC pathways'

Made by an AI model reading the paper (claude-opus-5-5, extract@0.3.0); a second AI model (claude-opus-5-5) agrees.