Trick or Threat: Neural Circuits Balancing Reward-Seeking With the Risk of Predation

DO-MONTE, F.H.; ENGELKE, D.S.; OLIVO, L.; ZHANG, X.O.; O'MALLEY, J.J.; FERNANDEZ-LEON, J.A.; LI, S.; KIROUAC, G.J.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology

NLM (Medline)

Año: 2019 vol. 44 p. 385 - 538

Background: Survival depends on a balance between approaching food and avoiding the risk of being attacked by a predator. However, which neuronal circuits integrate reward and fear information remains unknown. Neurons in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) respond to both reward and fear-associated cues, making this region a potential candidate for this integration.Methods: To test this hypothesis, Long-Evans adult rats previously implanted with guide cannulas, optical fibers or electrodes targeting the PVT were initially trained to press a bar for sucrose in the presence of audiovisual cues (reward cues). Cat saliva was used to induce innate fear responses (predator odor). During a conflict test, predator odor and reward cues were simultaneously presented and rats needed to overcome their fear of predator cues to bar press for food.