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Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Tool to Induce Plasticity in Pathways Relevant for Extinction Learning
Published on: August 21, 2015
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Neurons Mediate Light-induced Transient Forgetting
Xiaoya Su1,2,3, Yikai Tang1, Yi Zhong4,5,6,7
1School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
Abstract:
Our research reveals the critical role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons in mediating light-induced transient forgetting. Acute exposure to bright light selectively impairs trace fear memory by activating VIP neurons in the SCN, as demonstrated by increased c-Fos expression and Ca2+ recording. This effect can be replicated and reversed through optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations of SCN VIP neurons. Furthermore, we identify the SCN → PVT (paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus) VIP neuronal circuitry as essential in this process. These findings establish a novel role for SCN VIP neurons in modulating memory accessibility in response to environmental light cues, extending their known function beyond circadian regulation and revealing a mechanism for transient forgetting.
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