Theta Synchronization During the Resolution of Competing Memories: Exploring the Role of Prefrontal 5-HT2A Receptors

Successful memory retrieval relies on the ability of hippocampal–prefrontal networks to select relevant information when competing memories are simultaneously activated. In the Object-in-Context (OIC) task, contextual information guides this selection between competing object–context associations. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critically involved in this process, and serotonergic signaling through 5-HT2A receptors contributes to interference resolution. To investigate how these receptors influence hippocampal–prefrontal interactions, Wistar rats were implanted with electrodes in the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and with tetrodes and infusion cannulas in the mPFC, allowing simultaneous local field potential recordings and local pharmacological manipulation. Previous findings showed that vHPC–mPFC theta coherence selectively increases during exploration of the contextually incongruent object, particularly at the beginning of exploratory bouts, supporting a role for theta synchronization in interference resolution. We are currently investigating whether prefrontal 5-HT2A receptor blockade alters this coordinated activity and its relationship with behavioral performance.