Open AccessDivergent projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus mediate the selection of passive and active defensive behaviors
Author(s) -
Jun Ma,
Johann du Hoffmann,
Morgan Kindel,
B. Sofia Beas,
Yogita Chudasama,
Mario Penzo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nature neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 13.403
H-Index - 422
eISSN - 1546-1726
pISSN - 1097-6256
DOI - 10.1038/s41593-021-00912-7
Subject(s) - optogenetics , neuroscience , nucleus accumbens , thalamus , nucleus , selection (genetic algorithm) , amygdala , psychology , central nucleus of the amygdala , biology , central nervous system , computer science , artificial intelligence
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 activity in the PVT-CeA or PVT-NAc pathway biases behavior toward the selection of passive or active defensive responses, respectively. These findings provide evidence that the PVT mediates flexible switching between opposing defensive behaviors.