Looming Danger: Unraveling the Circuitry for Predator Threats

Abstract

Threat avoidance, particularly from predators, is key for survival. Through the use of optogenetics, viral tracing, and electrophysiological recordings, Zhou and colleagues identified a superior colliculus to ventral tegmental area pathway in detecting alarming visual cues and mediating defensive behaviors in mice. These findings provide novel insight into the neural circuit underlying innate predator defense.

Keywords: central amygdala; innate defensive behavior; looming disk; superior colliculus; ventral tegmental area.