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Cue-inhibited ventrolateral periaqueductal gray neurons signal fear output and threat probability in male rats

The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) is proposed to mediate fear responses to imminent danger. Previously we reported that vlPAG neurons showing short-latency increases in firing to a danger cue – the presumed neural substrate for fear output – signal threat probability in male rats (Wright...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Wright, Kristina M, Jhou, Thomas C, Pimpinelli, Daniel, McDannald, Michael A
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6821491/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31566567
http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.50054
Descripción
Sumario:The ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) is proposed to mediate fear responses to imminent danger. Previously we reported that vlPAG neurons showing short-latency increases in firing to a danger cue – the presumed neural substrate for fear output – signal threat probability in male rats (Wright et al., 2019). Here, we scrutinize the activity vlPAG neurons that decrease firing to danger. One cue-inhibited population flipped danger activity from early inhibition to late excitation: a poor neural substrate for fear output, but a better substrate for threat timing. A second population showed differential firing with greatest inhibition to danger, less to uncertainty and no inhibition to safety. The pattern of differential firing reflected the pattern of fear output, and was observed throughout cue presentation. The results reveal an expected vlPAG signal for fear output in an unexpected, cue-inhibited population.