Interest in hippocampal area CA2 has grown substantially since the area was discovered to have essential roles in social interaction. In particular, blocking output from dorsal CA2 to ventral hippocampus impairs social recognition memory, as does knocking out oxytocin receptors in CA2. Oxytocin-a hypothalamic hormone that regulates social behaviors and emotions-increases the excitability of CA2 pyramidal cells and induces burst firing. To identify the molecular mechanisms through which oxytocin exerts these effects, Liu et al. recorded from oxytocin-receptor-express-ing CA2 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices treated with various ion-channel blockers.
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