Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Sympathetic Activation01:16

Sympathetic Activation

The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...
Preparedness and Phobias01:09

Preparedness and Phobias

Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...
Panic Disorder01:27

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Distinct ensembles in the prelimbic cortex track different measures of motivation for cocaine and water reinforcers.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Prelimbic Cortex Activity Predicts Anxiety-Like Behavior in the Elevated Plus Maze.

The European journal of neuroscience·2026
Same author

Long-term alterations in serotonin transporter expression after adolescent fluoxetine exposure: Insights from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Psychiatry research·2026
Same author

A shared ensemble in the prelimbic cortex links impulsivity and anxiety-like behavior.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

A modular, adaptable, and accessible implant kit for chronic electrophysiological recordings in rats.

Cell reports methods·2025
Same author

A decision-space model explains context-specific decision-making.

Nature communications·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
09:09

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice

Published on: December 22, 2008

90.5K

Prelimbic Cortex Activity Predicts Anxiety-Like Behavior in the Elevated Plus Maze.

Marina A Smoak1,2, Karla J Galvan1,2, Daniel E Calvo3,4

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, USA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|January 7, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The prelimbic cortex (PrL) shows increased activity when rats avoid anxiety-provoking situations. This suggests the PrL plays a role in emotional regulation and anxiety-related behaviors.

Keywords:
GCaMP6sanxietycalcium imagingmPFC (medial prefrontal cortex)prelimbic cortexrats

More Related Videos

The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats
05:05

The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats

Published on: June 17, 2013

21.7K
Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test
07:54

Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test

Published on: June 29, 2018

13.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice
09:09

Elevated Plus Maze for Mice

Published on: December 22, 2008

90.5K
The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats
05:05

The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats

Published on: June 17, 2013

21.7K
Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test
07:54

Testing Animal Anxiety in Rats: Effects of Open Arm Ledges and Closed Arm Wall Transparency in Elevated Plus Maze Test

Published on: June 29, 2018

13.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

  • The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is crucial for emotional regulation, with its dysfunction linked to anxiety disorders.
  • The prelimbic cortex (PrL) region of the mPFC is implicated in modulating anxiety-like behaviors, but its exact function is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PrL neuronal activity in anxiety-like behavior using in vivo calcium imaging.
  • To determine if PrL activity correlates with avoidance behaviors in a standard anxiety test.

Main Methods:

  • Endoscopic in vivo calcium imaging was employed to monitor PrL neuronal activity in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.
  • Rats were assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), a validated behavioral paradigm for measuring anxiety.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was observed between higher PrL neuronal activity in the open arms of the EPM and reduced time spent in these arms.
  • This suggests that heightened PrL activity is associated with increased anxiety or avoidance behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • The PrL region of the mPFC appears to play a significant role in regulating emotional responses to anxiety-provoking stimuli.
  • PrL activity may influence an individual's tolerance for exposure to threatening environments, contributing to anxiety modulation.