Tokyo Researchers Map 1 Brain Circuit Rewriting Social Bonds After Betrayal in Mice
Updated
Updated · Tech Times · Jul 10
Tokyo Researchers Map 1 Brain Circuit Rewriting Social Bonds After Betrayal in Mice
3 articles · Updated · Tech Times · Jul 10
Summary
Science published University of Tokyo findings showing mice update feelings about a trusted companion through a ventral CA1-to-basolateral amygdala circuit while preserving the memory of who that animal is.
Chemogenetically induced aggression by a familiar cagemate strengthened hippocampus-amygdala synapses; silencing that pathway blocked avoidance learning, while blocking the parallel vCA1-to-nucleus accumbens route did not.
Optogenetic and molecular interventions gave bidirectional control: weakening the identified connections erased learned avoidance, while pairing reactivated memory neurons with a mild footshock created aversion to a previously friendly mouse.
Recordings showed basolateral amygdala threat neurons fired more strongly after betrayal, and D2 neurons in the nucleus accumbens joined in tighter synchrony, helping shift behavior from neutral approach to avoidance.
The work points to a precise target for disorders such as PTSD, autism and borderline personality disorder, though experts said downstream behavior circuits and the split between threat and safety learning remain unresolved.