ArticleNeuron2018
Distinct and Dynamic ON and OFF Neural Ensembles in the Prefrontal Cortex Code Social Exploration.
Article in Neuron, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 113 papers.
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113 citing papers in PubMed, 169 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Theoretical Evolution of Social Memory and the Core Contribution of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex.Neuroscience bulletin · 2026Review
- Cell-type-specific disruption of nucleus accumbens social representations in a mouse model of autism.Neuron · 2026Article
- Graph theory identifies altered prefrontal microcircuit organization in Shank3 mice, a mouse Model of autism.Cell reports · 2026Article
- Functional specialization of mPFC-BLA and mPFC-NAc pathways in affective state representation.eLife · 2026Article
- Forced treadmill running and ladder climbing physical activity attenuates cognitive decline and protein aggregates in aged 3xTg-AD mice.Molecular brain · 2026Article
- An olfactory-prefrontal cortical circuit supports social recognition.Research square · 2026Article
- Dynamic representations of valence in anterior cingulate cortex in mice.Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) · 2026Article
- Disrupted Development of the mPFC-Thalamic Circuit in Shank3Molecular psychiatry · 2026Article
- Graph Theory Identifies Autistic Patterns in the Prefrontal Circuit of a Mouse Model of Autism.Research square · 2026Article
- Social valence dictates sex differences in identity recognition.Translational psychiatry · 2026Article
- Distinct neural dynamics in the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex during social information processing.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2025Article
- Low-dose mixtures of dietary nutrients ameliorate behavioral deficits in multiple mouse models of autism.PLoS biology · 2025Article
- Sex-Specific Effects of Experience With Pups on Perineuronal Net Expression in the Biparental California Mouse (Peromyscus californicus).The Journal of comparative neurology · 2025Article
- Insular input to the prelimbic cortex underlies social affective behavior in rats.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
- Distinct prelimbic cortex ensembles encode response execution and inhibition.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2025Article
- Broad brain biodistribution conferred by an AAV to restore TDP-43 function mitigates Frontotemporal Demenia-like deficits.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
- 24-hour simultaneous mPFC's miniature 2-photon imaging, EEG-EMG, and video recording during natural behaviors.Scientific data · 2025Article
- Transient Inhibition of the Mediodorsal Thalamus During Early Adolescence Induces Hypofrontality and Social Memory Deficits in Young Adulthood.Biological psychiatry global open science · 2025Article
- Prefrontal cortex excitatory neurons show distinct response to heroin-associated cue and social stimulus after prolonged heroin abstinence in mice.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2025Article
- Context-invariant socioemotional encoding by prefrontal ensembles.Nature communications · 2025Article
53 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 6 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is important for social behavior, but the mechanisms by which mPFC neurons code real-time social exploration remain largely unknown. Here we utilized miniScopes to record calcium activities from hundreds of excitatory neurons in the mPFC while mice freely explored restrained social targets in the absence or presence of the psychedelic drug phencyclidine (PCP). We identified distinct and dynamic ON and OFF neural ensembles that displayed opposing activities to code real-time behavioral information. We further illustrated that ON and OFF ensembles tuned to social exploration carried information of salience and novelty for social targets. Finally, we showed that dysfunctions in these ensembles were associated with abnormal social exploration elicited by PCP. Our findings underscore the importance of mPFC ON and OFF neural ensembles for proper exploratory behavior, including social exploration, and pave the way for future studies elucidating neural circuit dysfunctions in psychiatric disorders.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.