An afferent white matter pathway from the pulvinar to the amygdala facilitates fear recognition

Author:

McFadyen Jessica12ORCID,Mattingley Jason B1234ORCID,Garrido Marta I1256ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

2. Australian Research Council of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Clayton, Australia

3. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

4. Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Canada

5. School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

6. Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Abstract

Our ability to rapidly detect threats is thought to be subserved by a subcortical pathway that quickly conveys visual information to the amygdala. This neural shortcut has been demonstrated in animals but has rarely been shown in the human brain. Importantly, it remains unclear whether such a pathway might influence neural activity and behavior. We conducted a multimodal neuroimaging study of 622 participants from the Human Connectome Project. We applied probabilistic tractography to diffusion-weighted images, reconstructing a subcortical pathway to the amygdala from the superior colliculus via the pulvinar. We then computationally modeled the flow of haemodynamic activity during a face-viewing task and found evidence for a functionally afferent pulvinar-amygdala pathway. Critically, individuals with greater fibre density in this pathway also had stronger dynamic coupling and enhanced fearful face recognition. Our findings provide converging evidence for the recruitment of an afferent subcortical pulvinar connection to the amygdala that facilitates fear recognition.Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that minor issues remain unresolved (<xref ref-type="decision-letter" rid="SA1">see decision letter</xref>).

Funder

Australian Research Council

University of Queensland

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd

Subject

General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience

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