Linking mPFC circuit maturation to the developmental regulation of emotional memory and cognitive flexibility

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and its abundant connections with other brain regions play key roles in memory, cognition, decision making, social behaviors, and mood. Dysfunction in mPFC is implicated in psychiatric disorders in which these behaviors go awry. The prolonged maturation of mPFC likely enables complex behaviors to emerge, but also increases their vulnerability to disruption. Many foundational studies have characterized either mPFC synaptic or behavioral development without establishing connections between them. Here, we review this rich body of literature, aligning major events in mPFC development with the maturation of complex behaviors. We focus on emotional memory and cognitive flexibility, and highlight new work linking mPFC circuit disruption to alterations of these behaviors in disease models. We advance new hypotheses about the causal connections between mPFC synaptic development and behavioral maturation and propose research strategies to establish an integrated understanding of neural architecture and behavioral repertoires.

Automated summary

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) along with its connections with other brain regions plays crucial roles in various behaviors such as memory, cognition, decision making, social interactions, and emotions. Dysfunction in mPFC is associated with psychiatric disorders while the delayed maturation of mPFC may lead to the emergence of complex behaviors and increased vulnerability to disruptions. Mindfulness on mPFC synaptic development and behavioral maturation is crucial to establish an integrated understanding of neural architecture and behavioral repertoires.