The Superior Colliculus/Lateral Posterior Thalamic Nuclei in Mice Rapidly Transmit Fear Visual Information Through the Theta Frequency Band

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.021
• Publication Date: 2022-06-18T01:53:39Z
• Authors: Denghui Liu; Shouhao Li; Liqing Ren; Xiaoyuan Li; Zhenlong Wang
• Keywords: Superior colliculus; Stimulus (psychology); Superior Colliculi; Looming; Lateral geniculate nucleus; Local field potential

Animals perceive threat information mainly from vision, and the subcortical visual pathway plays a critical role in rapid processing of fear information. The superior colliculus (SC) lateral posterior (LP) nuclei thalamus are key components pathway; however, how animals encode transmit is unclear. To evaluate response characteristics neurons SC LP thalamic under stimuli, extracellular action potentials (spikes) local field potential (LFP) signals were recorded looming dimming stimuli. results showed that both strongly responsive to stimuli but not sensitive Under stimulus, theta (θ) frequency bands obvious oscillations, which markedly enhanced synchronization between neurons. functional network also indicated connection density transmission efficiency higher These findings suggest can effectively identify threatening rapidly it through θ band. This discovery provide basis for subsequent coding decoding studies pathways.