Neuronal coding mechanisms mediating fear behavior

Robert R Rozeske, Cyril Herry
Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 2018-10-01; 52: 60-64
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.04.017

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1. Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2018 Apr 26;52:60-64. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.04.017.

Neuronal coding mechanisms mediating fear behavior.

Rozeske RR(1), Herry C(2).

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

The behavioral repertoire of an organism can be highly diverse, spanning from
social to defensive. How an animal efficiently switches between distinct
behaviors is a fundamental question whose inquiry will provide insights into the
mechanisms that are necessary for an organism’s survival. Previous work aimed at
identifying the neural systems responsible for defensive behaviors, such as
freezing, has demonstrated critical interactions between the prefrontal cortex
and amygdala. Indeed, this foundational research has provided an indispensable
anatomical framework that investigators are now using to understand the
physiological mechanisms of defined neural circuits within the prefrontal cortex
that code for the rapid and flexible expression of defensive behaviors. Here we
review recent findings demonstrating temporal and rate coding mechanisms of
freezing behavior in the prefrontal cortex. We hypothesize that anatomical
features, such as target structure and cortical layer, as well as the nature of
the information to be coded, may be critical factors determining the coding
scheme. Furthermore, detailed behavioral analyses may reveal subtypes of
defensive behaviors that represent the principle factor governing coding
selection.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.04.017
PMID: 29705550

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