Neural Correlates of Active Avoidance Behavior in Superior Colliculus

摘要: Active avoidance of harmful situations seems highly adaptive, but the underlying neural mechanisms are unknown. Rats can effectively use superior colliculus during active to detect a salient whisker conditioned stimulus (WCS) that signals an aversive event. Here, we recorded unit and field potential activity in intermediate layers rats behavior. During period preceding onset WCS, avoids associated with higher firing rate than escapes (unsuccessful avoids), indicating prepared is more likely WCS lead avoid. Moreover, robust ramping up overall observed for trials leading avoids. The not caused by shuttling may serve drive downstream circuits Therefore, correlate behavior found colliculus, emphasizing its role detection sensory require immediate action.