Threat history controls flexible escape behavior in mice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.05.022
• Publication Date: 2022-06-02T14:36:34Z
• Authors: Stephen C. Lenzi; Lee Cossell; Benjamin Grainger; Sarah F. Olesen; Tiago Branco; Troy W. Margrie
• Keywords: Looming; Escape response; Stimulus (psychology); Action selection; Aversive Stimulus; Neurophysiology; Decision process

In many instances, external sensory-evoked neuronal activity is used by the brain to select most appropriate behavioral response. Predator-avoidance behaviors such as freezing and escape1,2 are of particular interest since these stimulus-evoked responses manifestations a decision-making process that fundamental survival.3,4 Over lifespan an individual, however, threat value agents in environment believed undergo constant revision,5 some cases, repeated avoidance certain stimuli may no longer be optimal strategy.6 To begin study this type adaptive control decision-making, we devised experimental paradigm probe properties escape laboratory mouse Mus musculus. First, found while robust visual looming can observed after 2 days social isolation, mice also rapidly learn non-threatening. This learned suppression (LSE) extremely persist for weeks not generalized adaptation, flight novel live prey auditory same environmental context were maintained. We show LSE cannot explained trial number or simple form stimulus desensitization it dependent on threat-escape history. propose action selection mediating behavior constantly updated recent history model system understand neurophysiological mechanisms underlying experience-dependent decision-making.