Biology subjects

Conway, P. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Conway, P. B..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Learned attraction replaces innate aversion in the evolution of an olfactory response in Mus musculus

The evolution of behavior is typically attributed to changes in innate circuitry, but learning can also drive behavioral evolution. Mus musculus evolved to produce trimethylamine (TMA) and behaviorally approach it, unlike the ancestral response retained by other mammals including Mus caroli. Here we demonstrate that this attraction is not innate but learned, depending on developmental TMA exposure. Whole brain immediate-early gene mapping reveals experience-dependent patterns of activation in response to TMA olfaction. Using activity-dependent TRAP2 labelling, we find that TMA-responsive neurons in the anterior olfactory nucleus are necessary and sufficient for attraction, consistent with a memory engram. Meanwhile, Mus caroli innate aversion is dependent on excitatory neurons in the posterior cortical amygdala. These results demonstrate how innate and learned circuitry both contribute to behavioral evolution in mammals.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Plasticity of visual looming response reveals a dissociation of innate and learned components

Animals rely on innate and learned behaviour to respond to their environment, but how the brain balances hardwired responses with adaptive flexibility remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that innate looming stimulus responses in mice can be attenuated via repeated unreinforced presentation. This attenuation is long-lasting and generalising, but is rapidly recovered when the stimulus is paired with an electric foot-shock. Fiber photometry recordings reveal attenuation of responses to visual looming stimuli in the SC and PAG, which do not recover following recovery of behavioural responses. Analysis of c-Fos expression uncovered a ventral CA1 (vCA1) ensemble that is active during both innate and learned looming fear responses. We report that this vCA1 engram is not necessary for innate defensive behaviour but is necessary for learned fear responses. These findings reveal a novel role of the hippocampus in adapting to looming stimuli, and provide a platform for understanding the interaction of memory and instinct.

neuroscience↗