Patterns of Brain Activity During the Configural and Elemental Associative Learning in Mice

This study investigates the neuronal mechanisms underlying configural associative learning to complex conditioned stimuli (CS) and elemental learning to discrete CSs in mice. Using a fear conditioning model, mice were trained with a complex CS consisting of light and sound stimuli or discrete light and sound CSs. Fos imaging was employed to analyze brain activity in primary sensory cortical areas and associative cortical areas, as well as in amygdala during training. Results indicate that associative areas of the neocortex, such as the prelimbic cortex, but not primary sensory areas or the amygdala, may be the site for specific configural processes during complex CS associative learning.