Light tunes long-term threat avoidance behavior in male mice

Feb 13, 2026Nature communications

Light influences long-term threat avoidance behavior in male mice

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Abstract

Avoidance behavior in male mice lasts for multiple days after a single threat exposure.

  • Animals can remember and avoid familiar locations associated with previous threats over extended periods.
  • The avoidance behavior is particularly sensitive and can persist for several days.
  • Melanopsin-expressing retinal cells influence this through a specific brain circuit.
  • This circuit is different from the traditional pathways involved in visual threat detection.
  • The study highlights how prior experiences shape an animal's assessment of potential threats.

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Key numbers

6.6%
Time in Threat Zone Decrease
Mice spent significantly less time in the threat zone during the Test phase after exposure to 6.6% contrast.
13.1%
Contrast Threshold for Freezing Behavior
Mice began exhibiting freezing behavior at 13.1% contrast during the exposure phase.

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