Neural mechanisms underlying helping in mice

Prosocial behaviors, such as helping others in need, are fundamental for social cohesion across species. While key brain regions involved in rescue behavior have been identified, the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. The hippocampus—best known for its roles in memory and spatial navigation—also contributes to emotional and social processing, yet its specific involvement in prosocial behavior is unclear. In this talk, I will present findings from a series of experiments investigating the causal role of the hippocampus in the acquisition and execution of rescue behavior in mice. Using chemogenetics, we demonstrate that the dorsal hippocampus is essential for learning to help. Calcium imaging reveals network consolidation in the dorsal hippocampus during successful rescues, with synchronized cell assemblies and distinct activity patterns linked to liberations. Additionally, I will share SPECT imaging data showing sex-specific patterns of brain-wide activation in helping males and females. Finally, I will present evidence of how long-term social interaction within correlate with helping behavior. Together, these results underscore the importance of hippocampal function and social context in the regulation of prosocial actions.