• We found that when mice respond to the fear of other mice, neurons in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) represents both the fear of others and the observer mouse’s own fear responses.
• Combined with automatic behavior analysis, we discovered that the vmPFC regulates escape behavior, and that vmPFC neurons simultaneously represent both self- and other-information.
• Empathy plays an important role in developing positive relationships in our daily lives. Understanding its neural basis can provide implications for autism spectrum disorders, in which individuals often struggle with empathizing.

Pressrelease
(Go to the IQB Japanese Website)

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