The projection from the lateral habenula (LHb) to the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) transmits negative reward–related information. Here the authors show that aversive stimuli increase LHb excitatory drive onto RMTg neurons, and optogenetic stimulation of this pathway is sufficient to induce active, passive and conditioned behavioral avoidance.
- Alice M Stamatakis
- Garret D Stuber
