The roles of distinct dopaminergic neuron subpopulations and the circuit projections driving their activity during threat behaviors remain incompletely understood. Here, the authors demonstrate that substantia nigra pars lateralis dopamine neurons receive selective, robust excitation from auditory and temporal association cortices, which, combined with rapid action potential firing, contributes to auditory threat conditioning.
- Lorenzo Sansalone
- Emily L. Twedell
- Zayd M. Khaliq