Fig. 10: Schematic of our proposed model for the neural networks regulating predator-threat vs. food-seeking conflict.

(Left) During food-seeking behavior, food-associated cues inhibit the activity of PL glutamatergic neurons that project to aPVT^CRF, resulting in reduced activity in the aPVT^CRF-NAc projection and consequently increased food-seeking responses¹⁴. (Right) During food-seeking vs. predator-threat conflict, cat odor activates MeApv neurons that project to VMHdm⁵⁰. Subsequent activation of VMHdm neurons that project to PAG mediates defensive responses⁵¹, whereas activation of VMHdm neurons that project to aPVT^CRF suppresses food seeking (Supplementary Fig. 8a–c). Increased activity in the aPVT^CRF-NAc pathway leads to target-dependent synaptic transmission in the NAc (Fig. 8), thereby reducing food-seeking behavior (Fig. 7).