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Science February 2025 PMID 39913581

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses.

Sara Mederos, Patty Blakely, Nicole Vissers, Claudia Clopath, Sonja B Hofer

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Mentions

147
Peak: 58 in Feb 2025
across 5 sources since Aug 2024

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1,978,802
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Aug 2024 – Apr 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions demonstrate strong interest through phrases like 'very interesting' and highlight potential clinical benefits, such as the development of treatments for PTSD, showing a shared recognition of the research's importance. The tone and words reflect optimism and curiosity about unlocking neural secrets for therapeutic advances.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express support or find the research findings intriguing, highlighting its potential significance.

InterestHigh interest

The majority show high curiosity and enthusiasm about the neural mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to specific neural circuits and therapeutic hopes, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Many perceive the research as potentially impactful, especially regarding treatments for fear-related disorders.

Abstract in brief

  • The study shows that the brain can learn to suppress instinctive escape responses to visual threats by using a top-down pathway from the posterolateral higher visual areas (plHVAs) to the vLGN, which initially mediates fear responses.
  • During learning, the plHVAs become less necessary as the vLGN itself undergoes plastic changes, specifically through endocannabinoid-mediated long-term suppression of inhibitory inputs, allowing for the suppression of fear responses.
  • This research uncovers the detailed neural circuits and mechanisms—cellular and synaptic—that enable animals to modify innate fear behaviors based on experience.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 54 likes · 11 shares · 28,110 followers View post →
Top Science
@isciverse · X

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the detailed circuit, cellular, and synaptic mechanisms underlying experience-dependent suppression of fear responses." https://t.co/lKRvXE6EZC https://t.co/kioy4CIrIC

Feb 11, 2025 · 31 likes · 7 shares · 40,416 followers View post →
Medical Xpress
@medical_xpress · X

#Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new treatments for phobias, anxiety, and PTSD by targeting specific neural pathways. @swc_neuro @sciencemagazine https://t.co/exJuvmpv49 https://t.co/sTdFBLBZBx

Feb 6, 2025 · 26 likes · 20 shares · 173,037 followers View post →
Natalie Peluso
@nataliepeluso.com · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #neuroskyence

Feb 11, 2025 · 22 likes · 4 shares View post →
Science News
@scinews.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the detailed circuit, cellular, and synaptic mechanisms underlying experience-dependent suppression of fear responses." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Feb 11, 2025 · 14 likes · 4 shares View post →
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science https://t.co/EicKwliMLP

Feb 6, 2025 · 13 likes · 4 shares · 505,528 followers View post →

All mentions

Elisabetta Versace
@elisabettaversace.bsky.social · Bluesky

very interesting! "Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses" www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... by @sonjahofer.bsky.social 's group

Apr 5, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
UCL Discovery
@ucldiscovery.bsky.social · Bluesky

Open Access UCL Research: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...

Mar 13, 2025 View post →
Andy_Weeble_Weaver
@AndrewW66619812 · X

The paper in "Science" the above (paywalled) article in "Nature" is based upon, & links to: “Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” via "Nature Briefing Translational Research" 2/2 https://t.co/mJPkSiyT1k

Feb 19, 2025 · 4,320 followers View post →
Ye#0736
@Yeah94249249 · X

此外，这一过程还与vLGN神经元的神经电活动增强相关，这种增强由脑中释放的内源性大麻素出发。内源性大麻素是大脑内部调节情绪和记忆的信号分子，其释放降低了vLGN神经元收到的抑制性输入信号，于是能够更有力地抑制恐惧反应。 原论文：https://t.co/Q5GtgaWHUs

Feb 16, 2025 · 59 followers View post →
Lasker Foundation
@LaskerFDN · X

The visual cortex instructs learning to modulate fear responses. Mederos et al. uncovered a subcortical synaptic plasticity mechanism for learning to suppress defensive behavior. @SWC_Neuro https://t.co/QK6VLs5Pz2 https://t.co/A9IXQlFTii

Feb 14, 2025 · 7,326 followers View post →
SANTOSH
@science_opinion · X

Unlocking Fear: How Fear Is Suppressed by the Brain #fear #brain #fearsuppresion https://t.co/ktH0HMpAP8 https://t.co/a5XQnCbEGx

Feb 14, 2025 · 2 followers View post →
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 13, 2025 · 11 shares · 28,110 followers View post →
花鳥風月
@kachofugetsujp · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 12, 2025 · 7 shares · 1,623 followers View post →
Carme Zaragoza
@CarmeZaragoza · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 12, 2025 · 7 shares · 577 followers View post →
Ibrahim Haruna (伊博翰)
@ibrahim_iharuna · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 12, 2025 · 7 shares · 4,291 followers View post →
jan herman
@janhermosta · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 11, 2025 · 7 shares · 115 followers View post →
Manoj Mayogi Mishra
@mayogisense · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 11, 2025 · 7 shares · 572 followers View post →
Jayla Moon
@Jayla_M00N · X

RT @isciverse: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the det…

Feb 11, 2025 · 7 shares · 46 followers View post →
Top Science
@isciverse · X

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the detailed circuit, cellular, and synaptic mechanisms underlying experience-dependent suppression of fear responses." https://t.co/lKRvXE6EZC https://t.co/kioy4CIrIC

Feb 11, 2025 · 31 likes · 7 shares · 40,416 followers View post →
Science News
@scinews.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses. #Science "This paper revealed the detailed circuit, cellular, and synaptic mechanisms underlying experience-dependent suppression of fear responses." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Feb 11, 2025 · 14 likes · 4 shares View post →
Natalie Peluso
@nataliepeluso.com · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #neuroskyence

Feb 11, 2025 · 22 likes · 4 shares View post →
Liberty & Justice 4 All
@ckkoch3 · X

RT @McClureShawn: "Researchers have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears. The study in m…

Feb 10, 2025 · 1 share · 11,671 followers View post →
Shawn "All Outta Bubblegum" McClure
@McClureShawn · X

"Researchers have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears. The study in mice could have implications for developing therapeutics for fear-related disorders such as phobias, anxiety and PTSD." https://t.co/IKKVGlCSlW

Feb 10, 2025 · 5 likes · 1 share · 10,970 followers View post →
Professor Erwin Loh
@erwinloh · X

In a new study, neuroscientists reveal the precise regions of the brain that suppress fear responses in mice — a finding that might help scientists to develop strategies for treating post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in people. https://t.co/l4Wvt6xTch https://t.co/Dk8pA8DTpd

Feb 9, 2025 · 1 like · 10,277 followers View post →
尾呂内平太
@SKOZmyx3x36Mjxu · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 8, 2025 · 11 shares · 18 followers View post →
Dr. Bill Hoekstra
@moodandsleepclinic.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses -Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #mentalhealth #PTSD #Acceleratedresolutiontherapy

Feb 8, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share View post →
yoshiyuki nishio
@nishiokov · X

RT @bertogliolab: Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/N3AhlNj1WJ

Feb 8, 2025 · 1 share · 512 followers View post →
Oyesanmi (Ph.D)
@Sormaytion · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science…

Feb 8, 2025 · 4 shares · 948 followers View post →
Matt K
@MattyWK · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 124 followers View post →
Forgetmenotx0x0
@forgetmenotx0x0 · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science…

Feb 7, 2025 · 4 shares · 1,454 followers View post →
Misha Booltink
@MishaBooltink · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 541 followers View post →
Ｊｕｎ　Ｙａｓｕｄａ
@jyasuda1 · X

これも全くの門外漢だが、動物は本能的に危機を感じても視覚を介した学習によって回避行動など反射的な反応を抑制することができるらしい。そのための学習回路についての研究。Science誌。 https://t.co/CIAG26Ag0v

Feb 7, 2025 · 3 likes · 5,375 followers View post →
Prashant
@p7p8p9p · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 188 followers View post →
Heather Read
@Heather_L_Read · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 1,218 followers View post →
Ankit Singla
@In_AnkitSingla · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 1,480 followers View post →
priya joseph
@ayirpelle · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 4,902 followers View post →
Nathalia Le Hen
@NathaliaLeHen · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 2,748 followers View post →
allpossibleworlds
@PageLyndon · X

RT @leafs_s: Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 11 shares · 4,076 followers View post →
NeuroPaperBot
@neuropaperbot.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Feb 7, 2025 View post →
CLaE
@leafs_s · X

Science Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/EgGwlUAaNN

Feb 7, 2025 · 54 likes · 11 shares · 28,110 followers View post →
Florantine
@Florantine11 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 2,885 followers View post →
serrgv
@serrgv · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 148 followers View post →
Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC)
@bertogliolab.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Feb 7, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC)
@bertogliolab · X

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/N3AhlNj1WJ

Feb 7, 2025 · 8 likes · 1 share · 1,714 followers View post →
Daniel Hoffmann
@danielhoffmann1.bsky.social · Bluesky

Seeing certain things (spiders, ...) leads to instinctive #fear reactions. Animals can learn to overcome such reactions. This study used #optogenetics to identify the relevant brain areas in mice. Could be useful for development of treatments. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr2247

Feb 7, 2025 View post →
PantherNoster
@PantherNoster · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 2,881 followers View post →
Krolli
@Krolli5 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 289 followers View post →
Gene Antros
@GeneAntros · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 7, 2025 · 20 shares · 766 followers View post →
Luis Alberto Luengo
@luengo1958 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 17,515 followers View post →
NikkeNyfiken
@CuriouzMonkey · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 41 followers View post →
Elizabeth N. Dawley
@MissFoofy2000 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 469 followers View post →
Michael R Dawley Jr
@mrdj1968 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 901 followers View post →
Paul Antohe
@PaulAntohe · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 19 followers View post →
Ryan Flinn
@RS_Flinn · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 4,095 followers View post →
Alfonso Payne
@alf_strateg · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

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FutureSHOCK
@ChaosActual2025 · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

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Phys.org
@physorg_com · X

RT @medical_xpress: #Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new trea…

Feb 6, 2025 · 20 shares · 1,024,005 followers View post →
Medical Xpress
@medical_xpress · X

#Researchers identify brain mechanisms in mice that suppress instinctive #Fear, potentially paving the way for new treatments for phobias, anxiety, and PTSD by targeting specific neural pathways. @swc_neuro @sciencemagazine https://t.co/exJuvmpv49 https://t.co/sTdFBLBZBx

Feb 6, 2025 · 26 likes · 20 shares · 173,037 followers View post →
藤間秀平 Fujima Shuhei
@FujimaShuhei · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science…

Feb 6, 2025 · 4 shares · 172 followers View post →
hongshen
@basalganpop · X

Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses | Science https://t.co/VmypkrnBy2

Feb 6, 2025 · 146 followers View post →
Kishalay Ghosh (কিশলয় ঘোষ)
@Kishalay_ish · X

Feb 6, 2025 · 181 followers View post →
Jan Peeters
@francorjean · X

RT @NeuroscienceNew: “Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science…

Feb 6, 2025 · 4 shares · 70 followers View post →
Neuroscience News
@NeuroscienceNew · X

“Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses” by Sara Mederos et al. Science https://t.co/EicKwliMLP

Feb 6, 2025 · 13 likes · 4 shares · 505,528 followers View post →
SWC
@SWC_Neuro · X

Read the full paper in @ScienceMagazine, from @SaraMederos_, Patty Blakely, @NicoleVissers1, Claudia Clopath and @SonjaBHofer ⬇️ https://t.co/h7Dtec4xJu

Feb 6, 2025 · 5,286 followers View post →
Nathalia Le Hen
@NathaliaLeHen · X

RT @biorxiv_neursci: Overwriting an instinct: visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/Rcq4geYYfR #biorxiv…

Aug 1, 2024 · 2 shares · 2,748 followers View post →
bioRxiv Neuroscience
@biorxiv-neursci.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.31.605567v1

Aug 1, 2024 · 3 likes · 1 share View post →
bioRxivpreprint
@biorxivpreprint.bsky.social · Bluesky

Overwriting an instinct: visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.07.31.605567v1

Aug 1, 2024 View post →
bioRxiv Neuroscience
@biorxiv_neursci · X

Overwriting an instinct: visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses https://t.co/Rcq4geYYfR #biorxiv_neursci

Aug 1, 2024 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 59,865 followers View post →