Amygdala Underlies the Environment Dependency of Defense Responses Induced via Superior Colliculus.

ABSTRACT: In our previous study, we showed that the defense responses induced by the selective optogenetic activation of the uncrossed output pathway from the deeper layer of the superior colliculus were environment dependent in the mouse. In a small closed box, the stimulus frequently induced flight (fast forward run away) responses, while in a large open field, the stimulus tended to induce backward retreat responses. We tested a hypothesis that the amygdala is involved in such environment dependency of the innate defense responses. For this purpose, we made a bilateral lesion of the amygdala induced by the ibotenic acid injections in male mice. As a result, in the mice with lesions of substantial portions of the basolateral and basomedial complex, the flight responses in the closed box disappeare

SUBMITTER: Isa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8776830 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature