Abstract
Neuroscience Animals constantly choose between exploring their environment and avoiding potential threats. A brain area called the medial amygdala has been suggested to play a role in the conflict that arises upon deciding between mutually incompatible behaviors (for example, feeding, reproduction, defense, or flight). By using an array of methods, including optogenetics, viral tracing, and behavioral tests, Miller et al. found that a population of dopaminergic neurons within the medial amygdala projects to two other brain areas—the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the ventromedial hypothalamus. When these areas are excited or inhibited, mice show opposing explorative or threat-avoiding behaviors. Nat. Neurosci. 22 , 565 (2019).
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