Neural Circuit Underlying Individual differences in Visual Escape Habituation

Emotions, like fear, are internal states enabling organisms to effectively confront environmental threats. When repeatedly exposed to predators, individuals show divergent adaptive responses. However, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying individual differences in to repeated threats remain largely unknown. Here, we identify two distinct types of visual escape,consistent escape (T1) and rapid habituation (T2),with unambiguous arousal states to repetitive threat stimuli. We systematically investigate distinct pathways originating from the superior colliculus (SC) and insula that project to the basolateral amygdala (BLA), with relay stations in the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), mediating T1 and T2 behavioral types. Additionally, we identify the MD as a critical hub integrating SC and insula inputs, projecting to the BLA and contributing to reduced arousal and attenuated defensive behaviors against looming stimuli. Our findings offer significant insights into the mechanisms of internal states, arousal modulation, and behavioral adaptability.