Positioning the brainstem within the neural network of threat prediction

In a recent study, Strickland and McDannald dissected the role of brainstem networks in threat pre-diction. Using probabilistic threat discrimination in rats, the authors demonstrated that brainstem neu-rons estimate threat probability and generate positive aversive pre-diction errors after unexpected out-comes. Their findings suggest that, beyond organizing defensive behav-iors, brainstem neurons are involved in threat prediction computations.

Automated summary

In a recent study, researchers investigated the role of brainstem networks in threat prediction. Through experiments with rats, they found that brainstem neurons can estimate the likelihood of a threat and generate positive aversive prediction errors in response to unexpected outcomes. These findings suggest that brainstem neurons are not only involved in defensive behaviors but also in threat prediction computations.