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ACHIEVEMENTPUBLICATIONOkuyama T, Kitamura T, Roy DS, Itohara S, Tonegawa S. Ventral CA1 neurons store social memory. Science. 2016 Sep 30;353PUBLICATIONTao K, Chung M, Watarai A, Huang Z, Wang MY, Okuyama T. Disrupted social memory ensembles in the ventral hippocampus underlie PUBLICATIONHuang Z, Chung M, Tao K, Watarai A, Wang MY, Ito H, Okuyama T. Ventromedial prefrontal neurons represent self-states shaped by (1) Hippocampal ventral CA1 neurons storing social memoryptogenetic analysis of neural circuits for social behavior.For animals who form a society, it is crucial to remember and recognize di■erent conspeci■c individu-als (i.e. having “social memory”), and exhibit appropriate social behavior towards each other. Using optogenetic techniques, we demonstrated that vCA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus store social memory (social memory engram). Even if the memory seemed lost after long separation periods, optogenetic activation of the engram can fully restore that social memory. Additionally, arti■cial association between social engram encoding the memory of a speci■c individual with fear or reward events can elicit avoidance from or preference to that indi-vidual, respectively. Using this novel technology for manipulating a speci■c social memory, our lab aims to reveal neural mechanisms underlying expression of emotion such as “love” and “hate”.Social memory and autism spectrum disorder.One tiny dissonance in social memory can easily disrupt the appropriate social behavior, even in humans. Social im-pairments caused by genetic mutation, especially those related to familiarization with other individuals, are com-monly exhibited by patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Autistic patients have di■culty either with social memory itself, or showing typical behavior of social familiarity driven by social memory. We attempt to reveal the mysterious underpinnings of social memory in autism, while aiming at the ultimate goal of our lab — the improvement of autism treatment. (6307):1536-1541. DOI:10.1126/science.aaf7003social amnesia in autism-associated Shank3 mutant mice. Mol Psychiatry. 2022 Apr;27(4):2095-2105. DOI:10.1038/s41380-021-01430-5vicarious fear in male mice. Nat Commun. 2023 Jul 3;14(1):3458. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39081-5(2) optogenetic manipulation of social memory bearing neurons38 | 39O