Fig. 7: Activation of the terminals in the SC of DMS projecting mPFC neurons during a beetle’s approach affects defensive distance.
From: Prefrontal control of superior colliculus modulates innate escape behavior following adversity
a Schematic depiction of control (n = 7) and CHR2 (n = 8) viral injection sites (mPFC and DMS) and fibers’ location (Representative images in this figure present results successfully acquired in all included animals). b Experimental setup and schedule. c Left: anatomical target schemes for all animals included in the experiment. X’s mark histologically confirmed optic fiber positions. Right: representative coronal section showing the SC with optic fiber lesion (white circle). d The left illustration depicts overlaid, histologically confirmed viral expression areas at the mPFC from all included animals. Right: representative coronal section showing viral expression and DMS projecting neurons in the mPFC. e Average (and SEM) of PE instances in each of the different stimulation phases divided to opsin expressing (ChR2) and fluorophore expressing (control) animals and showing an increase for ChR2 stimulation in the different proximity distances. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA main effect with LSD’s (Control none vs ChR2 none p = 0.199, Control 10 cm vs ChR2 10 cm-p = 0.021, Control 20 cm vs ChR2 20 cm-p = 0.023); f Average (and SEM) of the distance between the mouse and the beetle on PE initiation (defensive distance), in each of the different stimulation phases divided to opsin expressing (ChR2) and fluorophore expressing (control) animals shows increase in defensive distance for ChR2 group by stimulation distance. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s (ChR: none vs. 20 cm p < 0.001, 10 cm vs. 20 cm-p = 0.025; control vs ChR2: none-p = 0.974, 10 cm-p = 0.08, 20 cm-p < 0.001). Asterisks indicate significant post-hoc comparisons (*p < .05; **p < .01; ***p < .001). Pound signs indicate non-significant trends (#p < 0.1 – p > 0.05). Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Parts of the Illustrations were generated with Biorender.com.
