Independent hypothalamic circuits for social and predator fear.

ABSTRACT: The neural circuits mediating fear to naturalistic threats are poorly understood. We found that functionally independent populations of neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a region that has been implicated in feeding, sex and aggression, are essential for predator and social fear in mice. Our results establish a critical role for VMH in fear and have implications for selective intervention in pathological fear in humans.

SUBMITTER: Silva BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4194278 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature