{
  "abstract": "The hippocampus forms memories by associating events that are separated in time. These associations can be studied using trace conditioning, a procedure where a temporal gap is inserted between a conditional stimulus and an unconditional stimulus. Here, we examined how dopaminergic projections to CA1 support trace fear conditioning. Using fiber photometry and genetic lesions, we demonstrate that locus coeruleus (LC)-derived dopamine, rather than VTA input, is the primary source of dopamine in CA1 and is essential for trace learning. LC lesions reduced CA1 principal neuron activity and c-Fos expression. In-vivo imaging revealed that successful learning requires post-shock reactivation of stimulus-specific ensembles, a process compromised by LC lesions or long trace intervals. Finally, optogenetic stimulation of LC-CA1 projections during the post-shock period was sufficient to rescue learning in long-trace protocols. These findings identify LC-CA1 dopamine as a critical regulator of temporal binding via the facilitation of hippocampal memory trace reactivation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of California, Davis"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. P. Crestani"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. R. A. F. Diniz"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Carda"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Maw"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "B. Wiltgen"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b7sq2s0x5bs5p.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.13.758657",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758657v1.full",
  "id": "b7sq2s0x5bs5p",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758657v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "animal behavior and cognition"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2805|Memory and Neural Mechanisms"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7222222297",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758657v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-13",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b7sq2s0x5bs5p.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:27:57Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.13.758657",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758657v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:animal behavior and cognition",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dopamine Release from the Locus Coeruleus Enables Temporal Binding in the Hippocampus",
  "title_text": "Dopamine Release from the Locus Coeruleus Enables Temporal Binding in the Hippocampus",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:27:57Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b7sq2s0x5bs5p",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}