上丘到腹侧被盖区多巴胺系统处理视觉恐惧消退的神经机制

上丘到腹侧被盖区的多巴胺系统能够快速检测视觉信号，参与感觉加工的习惯化和强化学习；新的研究表明基底外侧杏仁核中恐惧记忆消退需要奖赏信号，我们计划研究上丘到腹侧被盖区多巴胺神经元奖赏系统参与视觉恐惧记忆消退的神经机制，解析上丘-腹侧被盖区多巴胺-基底外侧杏仁核的投射图谱和功能图谱，揭示上丘-腹侧被盖区多巴胺神经元-基底外侧杏仁核处理视觉恐惧记忆消退的神经调控机制，理解基于视觉的本能恐惧的神经基础以及本能恐惧与习得性恐惧的神经环路调控机制，为我们理解物种生存、防御策略潜在的机制以及治疗恐惧、焦虑等精神障碍疾病提供可能的治疗靶点和干预手段。

The dopamine system from the Superior Colliculus (SC) to the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) can quickly detect visual signals, participate in the habituation and reinforcement of sensory processing. The current study reveal than reward signals are needed for the fear extinction in the Basolateral Amygdala (BLA). We plan to study the neural mechanism of SC to VTA dopamine reward system in visual-based fear extinction. To reveal the neural modulation mechanism of SC to VTA dopamine system to BLA in processing visual-based fear extinction, we plan to dissect the connectome and functional map of SC to VTA dopamine system to BLA. Our study will provide the insight into the neural basis of visual-based fear extinction. The findings will lead us to understand the mechanism of the species survival and defense strategy and also envisage us a potential target for treating mental disorders such as fear and anxiety.