A dopaminergic switch for fear to safety transitions

Ray Luo, Akira Uematsu, Adam Weitemier, Luca Aquili, Jenny Koivumaa, Thomas J. McHugh and Joshua P. Johansen ()
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Ray Luo: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Akira Uematsu: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Adam Weitemier: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Luca Aquili: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Jenny Koivumaa: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Thomas J. McHugh: RIKEN Brain Science Institute
Joshua P. Johansen: RIKEN Brain Science Institute

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Overcoming aversive emotional memories requires neural systems that detect when fear responses are no longer appropriate so that they can be extinguished. The midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine system has been implicated in reward and more broadly in signaling when a better-than-expected outcome has occurred. This suggests that it may be important in guiding fear to safety transitions. We report that when an expected aversive outcome does not occur, activity in midbrain dopamine neurons is necessary to extinguish behavioral fear responses and engage molecular signaling events in extinction learning circuits. Furthermore, a specific dopamine projection to the nucleus accumbens medial shell is partially responsible for this effect. In contrast, a separate dopamine projection to the medial prefrontal cortex opposes extinction learning. This demonstrates a novel function for the canonical VTA-dopamine reward system and reveals opposing behavioral roles for different dopamine neuron projections in fear extinction learning.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04784-7

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