Switching on and off fear by distinct neuronal circuits Export

@article{citeulike:2983867, abstract = {Switching between exploratory and defensive behaviour is fundamental to survival of many animals, but how this transition is achieved by specific neuronal circuits is not known. Here, using the converse behavioural states of fear extinction and its context-dependent renewal as a model in mice, we show that bi-directional transitions between states of high and low fear are triggered by a rapid switch in the balance of activity between two distinct populations of basal amygdala neurons. These two populations are integrated into discrete neuronal circuits differentially connected with the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex. Targeted and reversible neuronal inactivation of the basal amygdala prevents behavioural changes without affecting memory or expression of behaviour. Our findings indicate that switching between distinct behavioural states can be triggered by selective activation of specific neuronal circuits integrating sensory and contextual information. These observations provide a new framework for understanding context-dependent changes of fear behaviour.}, author = {Herry, Cyril and Ciocchi, Stephane and Senn, Verena and Demmou, Lynda and M\"{u}ller, Christian and L\"{u}thi, Andreas}, citeulike-article-id = {2983867}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nature07166.html}, journal = {Nature}, keywords = {080724, ingie, jc, recommend}, posted-at = {2008-07-10 06:04:46}, priority = {5}, title = {Switching on and off fear by distinct neuronal circuits}, url = {http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nature07166.html} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2983867 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2983867 N2 - Switching between exploratory and defensive behaviour is fundamental to survival of many animals, but how this transition is achieved by specific neuronal circuits is not known. Here, using the converse behavioural states of fear extinction and its context-dependent renewal as a model in mice, we show that bi-directional transitions between states of high and low fear are triggered by a rapid switch in the balance of activity between two distinct populations of basal amygdala neurons. These two populations are integrated into discrete neuronal circuits differentially connected with the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex. Targeted and reversible neuronal inactivation of the basal amygdala prevents behavioural changes without affecting memory or expression of behaviour. Our findings indicate that switching between distinct behavioural states can be triggered by selective activation of specific neuronal circuits integrating sensory and contextual information. These observations provide a new framework for understanding context-dependent changes of fear behaviour. JF - Nature TI - Switching on and off fear by distinct neuronal circuits KW - 080724 KW - ingie KW - jc KW - recommend AU - Herry, Cyril AU - Ciocchi, Stephane AU - Senn, Verena AU - Demmou, Lynda AU - Müller, Christian AU - Lüthi, Andreas UR - http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nature07166.html ER -