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Basal Ganglia Output Controls Active Avoidance Behavior.

Sebastian Hormigo1, German Vega-Flores1, Manuel A Castro-Alamancos1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|October 7, 2016
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers identified a key brain circuit controlling active avoidance behavior. This circuit, involving the substantia nigra pars reticulata, offers potential therapeutic targets for anxiety disorders and maladaptive avoidance.

Keywords:
approachavoidanceescapemidbrainsubstantia nigrasuperior colliculus

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Avoidance behavior is adaptive for avoiding danger but maladaptive in anxiety disorders.
  • Neural circuits underlying active avoidance are not well understood.
  • Understanding these circuits is crucial for treating anxiety-related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the neural circuits controlling active avoidance behavior.
  • To identify specific brain regions and pathways involved in mediating avoidance responses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized chemogenetics and optogenetics in mouse models.
  • Employed Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs).
  • Manipulated neuronal activity in the basal ganglia output pathways.

Main Results:

  • The output of the basal ganglia, specifically the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), fully controls active avoidance.
  • SNr excitation suppressed avoidance to conditioned stimuli but preserved escape from harm.
  • SNr inhibition facilitated avoidance and could drive avoidance behavior independently of conditioned stimuli.

Conclusions:

  • A midbrain circuit involving the SNr gates active avoidance responses.
  • This circuit represents a potential therapeutic target for mitigating maladaptive avoidance in psychiatric disorders.
  • Targeting this circuit could help alleviate symptoms in conditions like phobias and social anxiety.