Decoding defensive systems.

Herry C(1), Jercog D(2).

Author information:
(1)INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 146 Rue Léo-Saignat, 33077 Bordeaux,
France; Univ. Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 146 Rue Léo-Saignat, 33077
Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: .
(2)INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 146 Rue Léo-Saignat, 33077 Bordeaux,
France; Univ. Bordeaux, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 146 Rue Léo-Saignat, 33077
Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: .

Our understanding of the neuronal circuits and mechanisms of defensive systems
has been primarily dominated by studies focusing on the contribution of
individual cells in the processing of threat-predictive cues, defensive
responses, the extinction of such responses and the contextual modulation of
threat-related behavior. These studies have been key in establishing
threat-related circuits and mechanisms. Yet, they fall short in answering
long-standing questions related to the integrative processing of distinct
threatening cues, behavioral states induced by threat-related events, or the
bridging from sensory processing of threat-related cues to specific defensive
responses. Recent conceptual and technical developments has allowed the
monitoring of large populations of neurons, which in addition to advanced
analytic tools, have improved our understanding of how collective neuronal
activity supports threat-related behaviors. In this review, we discuss the
current knowledge of neuronal population codes within threat-related networks,
in the context of aversive motivated behavior and the study of defensive
systems.

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Conflict of interest statement: Conflict of interest statement Nothing declared.

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus