Axon initial segment dynamics during associative fear learning

Chloé Maëlle Benoit, Dan Alin Ganea, Ricardo Paricio-Montesinos, Julia Esser, Christian Thome, Jan Maximilian Janssen, Andrea Sattin, Sabrina Milena Innocenti, Sabine Krabbe, Andreas Lüthi, Tommaso Fellin, Maren Engelhardt & Jan Gründemann 

Abstract

The axon initial segment (AIS) is the site of action potential generation and exhibits structural and functional plasticity upon adaptation of neuronal excitability and disease. Performing in vivo longitudinal two-photon imaging of AIS in the medial prefrontal cortex of male mice, we reveal dynamic AIS remodeling during associative fear learning and extinction. These results demonstrate that AIS plasticity is not only crucial for homeostatic adaptation but also a hallmark of memory formation.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-02152-5