Feature-specific threat coding in lateral septum guides defensive action

We determined that LSCrhr2 population activity is required for cuedriven defensive actions by rapidly and dynamically encoding threat representations that predict defensive outcomes. We find that these threat representations are formed through the convergence of various signals differentially represented among distinct LSCrhr2 subclasses, which are defined by their molecular features, spatial location, and input architecture.

Most importantly, their responses reflect specific afferents from the hippocampus and hypothalamus that preferentially impart cue- and action-related signals, respectively. These findings establish a multifeatured organizational principle that underlies how LS mediates motivated behaviors in response to environmental challenge.