Bannderman 2004

Question 1

According to Bannerman et al (2004), dorsal hippocampus has what role in contextual fear conditioning?

Answer 1

Receives processed sensory information
Lesion prior to contextual fear learning- disrupts spatial learning, does not disrupt contextually conditioned freezing
Lesion to DH After contextual fear conditioning- disrupts conditioned freezing

Question 2

According to Bannerman et al (2004), what is the role of the ventral hippocampus during contextual fear conditioning?

Answer 2

Projections from ventral hippocampus to BNST may be important pathway underlying ‘anxiety’, whereas an amygdala-independent system may mediate ‘fear.’

Pre-learning ventral hippocampus lesion: intact spatial learning (Morris water maze)
Post- contextual fear conditioning lesion: loss of memory for learned contingency, but can still acquire new context-US associations in new task or with retraining.

Question 3

Bannerman(2004) describes 4 general effects of lesions to the ventral hippocampus (not dissociating about pre- or post- contextual fear conditioning, just in general):

Answer 3

Lesions to the ventral hippocampus:

1. Decrease anxiety (like bentos)
2. Induce hyponeophagia (faster eating in unfamiliar environment)
3. Increase social interactions
4. Decrease fear (faster too explore white side in 2 compartment box)