Independent hypothalamic circuits for social and predator fear
BA Silva, C Mattucci, P Krzywkowski, E Murana… - Nature …, 2013 - nature.com
Nature neuroscience, 2013•nature.com
The neural circuits mediating fear to naturalistic threats are poorly understood. We found that
functionally independent populations of neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a
region that has been implicated in feeding, sex and aggression, are essential for predator
and social fear in mice. Our results establish a critical role for VMH in fear and have
implications for selective intervention in pathological fear in humans.
functionally independent populations of neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a
region that has been implicated in feeding, sex and aggression, are essential for predator
and social fear in mice. Our results establish a critical role for VMH in fear and have
implications for selective intervention in pathological fear in humans.
Abstract
The neural circuits mediating fear to naturalistic threats are poorly understood. We found that functionally independent populations of neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a region that has been implicated in feeding, sex and aggression, are essential for predator and social fear in mice. Our results establish a critical role for VMH in fear and have implications for selective intervention in pathological fear in humans.
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