--This fiscal year, we continued our studies of our gene knockouts (KO) of the mouse oxytocin (Oxt) and vasopressin (Avp) 1b receptors (Oxtr and Avpr1b, respectively) to investigate their specific roles in mediating behavior. Avp and Oxt are neurohormones that are best known for their peripheral actions in regulating salt and water balance, blood pressure, lactation and parturition. However, numerous pharmacological studies have implicated these hormones in various behaviors as well, including aggressive, affiliative, social recognition, fear conditioning and maternal. --We continued our studies of the CA2 region of the hippocampus where the Oxtr and Avpr1b are located. The CA2 area is an important, although relatively unexplored, component of the hippocampus. We were able to demonstrate that the Avpr1b in the CA2 is necessary for normal aggression and Avpr1b and Oxtr there for in vitro LTP-like activity in its pyramidal cells. --We re-tooled the laboratory to use additional modern neuroscience techniques. Specifically, we started using optogenetics and began to acquire the tools needed for electrophysiology and endomicroscopy for studying the CA2's role in social behavior and memory. We will apply these tools in combination with our knockout mice to see how cell firing patterns differ between normal and knockout mice in response to various social situations.
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