MEMORY INTERFERENCE: A DISSECTION OF MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTICAL AND MEDIODORSAL THALAMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO RECALL
To remember something might seem simple, but it involves a complex and dynamic process. This ability to recall the “right” memory is important for guiding actions and supporting flexible behavior. Although the process depends on coordinated activity of various brain regions, the underlying neural mechanisms remain to be fully understood. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of memory retrieval focusing on how the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) contribute to processing and recalling information. In Chapters 2 and 3, I examine the role of the mPFC in supporting memory retrieval across different odor-based recall tasks. Importantly, I investigate the potential dissociable roles of the mPFC subregions, the prelimbic and infralimbic cortices, utilizing both chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches. In Chapter 4, I examine the contribution of the MD to memory retrieval using a prefrontal-dependent continuous matching-to-sample task, emphasizing how the MD supports performance under different levels of mnemonic interference. Together, these findings highlight the contributions of the mPFC and MD in cognitive control and behavioral flexibility. This dissertation aims to lay the groundwork for future research examining how these interconnected regions function to resolve interference and support memory retrieval.