HDR – Antoine BESNARD

Calibration of defensive behaviors and their neural correlates in mice

Jury

• Jacques BARIK, Professor, IPMC, Nice – Reviewer
• Bianca SILVA, Research Scientist, IPMC, Nice – Reviewer
• Carine BECAMEL, Professor, IGF, University of Montpellier – Examiner
• Elsa ISINGRINI, Research Scientist, INCC, Paris – Examiner
• François RASSENDREN, Research Director, IGF, University of Montpellier – Examiner
• Sophie TRONEL, Research Scientist, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux – Examiner

Summary

Our current research project aims at dissecting the neural mechanisms governing avoidance and related defensive behaviors across distributed brain circuits. Ongoing projects in the lab systematically stratify mouse defensive behaviors to uncover the expression of individuality in isogenic mice, as well as their related neural correlate with an emphasis on dopaminergic transmission in striatal territories. In parallel, the lab has uncovered the role of an under-appreciated hypothalamic dopaminergic system in sex-specific regulation of hormonal secretion and avoidance behavior. Insights generated from this line of work could allow establishing novel biomarkers for maladaptive avoidance behavior. These findings could also pave the way for standardized assessment as well as longitudinal evaluation of treatment response across patients afflicted with mood, anxiety and fear disorders.