Medial septal theta stimulation enhances spatial working memory performance in rats

Spatial working memory (SWM) relies on the integrity of the medial septum area (MSA) and its ability to drive theta (4-12 Hz) oscillations in the hippocampus. This study tested the hypothesis that optogenetic theta stimulation of the MSA would enhance choice accuracy on a hippocampus-dependent task in rats. We delivered either excitatory or control theta stimulation during the delay period (10 or 30 sec) of a delayed alternation (DA) task. We show that MSA theta stimulation improved choice accuracy on the 30 sec delay trials, providing strong support for the notion that MSA theta stimulation boosts SWM.