How does the brain explore?

How Does the Brain Explore? October 7, 2020 | by Matteo Farinella, Devin Powell & ZI Communications team

Using a spatial exploration assay in rodents, Botta and colleagues observed an experience-dependent increase of momentary arrests in locations where animals previously arrested, and uncovered an amygdala circuit that mediates these momentary arrests in familiar places, but not avoidance or anxiety/fear-like behaviors In this image we can see the tracks of a landscape explorer, converging to the same familiar place. Pausing there she is observing a rock formation that resembles the amygdala circuit described in this paper. On the top, a mouse arrests his exploration to witness the entire scene. (Image credit: Gil Costa)

(Credit: Gil Costa).

(Credit: Gil Costa).

Gabriela Martins