Divergent projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus mediate the selection of passive and active defensive behaviors.

ABSTRACT: The appropriate selection of passive and active defensive behaviors in threatening situations is essential for survival. Previous studies have shown that passive defensive responses depend on activity of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), whereas active ones primarily rely on the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanisms underlying flexible switching between these two types of responses remain unknown. Here we show in mice that the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) mediates the selection of defensive behaviors through its interaction with the CeA and the NAc. We show that the PVT-CeA pathway drives conditioned freezing responses, whereas the PVT-NAc pathway is inhibited during freezing and, instead, signals active avoidance events. Optogenetic manipulations revealed that activi

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8484052 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature