Neuronal networks in the dorsal hippocampus causally regulate rescue behavior in mice

Abstract

Prosocial behaviors, such as rescuing individuals in need, are crucial for social cohesion across species. While key brain regions involved in rescue behavior have been identified, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. The hippocampus (HPC), known for its role in memory and spatial navigation, also contributes to emotional and social processing. However, its specific involvement in prosocial behavior is not well understood. Here, we investigate the causal role of the HPC in learning and executing rescue behavior in mice. Using chemogenetics, we show that the dorsal HPC (dHPC), but not the ventral HPC (vHPC), is essential for acquiring rescue behavior. Calcium imaging of the dHPC reveals network consolidation during successful rescues, with distinct synchronized ensembles and activity patterns linked to liberations of an individual in need. These findings establish a novel role for the dHPC in prosocial behavior, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying empathy-driven actions.