Dopamine modulates visual threat processing in the superior colliculus via D2 receptors

Quentin Montardy1,2, Zheng Zhou1,2,3, Lei Li1,2,4

  • 1Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen University Town, Shenzhen 518055, China.

Iscience
|May 31, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Dopamine D2 receptors in the superior colliculus regulate innate defensive behaviors. Activating these neurons triggers defense, while inhibiting them reduces responses to threats, highlighting dopamine's role in survival instincts.

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