title: Retrieving fear memories, as time goes by….
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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Fear Learning, Department of Psychiatry and Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Do Monte
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Fear Learning, Department of Psychiatry and Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Quirk
authors.affiliation: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Penzo
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D066274:Central Amygdaloid Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D020644:Midline Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor