Kayla y Lim

Abstract Animal groups often collectively coordinate their behavior to withstand environmental challenges, yet the neural circuitry underlying such collective social dynamics remains unclear. Here we show that groups of mice self-organize into huddles under cold stress. We quantified the thermoregulatory benefits of huddling using thermal imaging and internal temperature loggers, which revealed that it stabilized core body temperature by increasing thermal contact points and reducing heat loss.

Abstract Humans and animals can sense the negative states of other individuals and respond with prosocial behaviour to improve their conditions1,2. Although prosocial behaviour is hypothesized to have an evolutionary root in caring for vulnerable newborn offspring1,3, whether the neural substrates underlying parenting may contribute to adult-directed prosocial behaviours remains largely unclear.

Abstract Chronic stress can change how we learn and, thus, how we make decisions1,2,3,4,5. Here we investigated the neuronal circuit mechanisms that enable this. Using a multifaceted systems neuroscience approach in male and female mice, we reveal a dual-pathway, amygdala–striatal neuronal circuit architecture by which a recent history of chronic stress disrupts the action–outcome learning underlying adaptive agency and promotes the formation of inflexible habits.