A role for the superior colliculus in the modulation of threat responsiveness in primates: toward the ontogenesis of the social brain

Abstract

Defense and social mechanisms in primates seem to share, at least in infancy, common neural substrata.Among these, recent research has implicated the primate superior colliculus (SC) on tasks involving visual detection and recognition of threatening stimuli, such as snakes and faces with emotional expressions. There is also evidence that both kinds of stimuli share specific characteristics and command special attention in the primate visual system. The present review focuses on the role of the SC in these seemingly overlapping functions.We present social behavioral data from capuchin monkeys in which the bilateral lesion of the SC induced a transitory impairment of social behaviors. The findings presented here are compared with previous studies, our own and others, on social behaviors and threat detection. We argue that, although the SC may participate in both systems,its role is more prominent in the detection/recognition of threat. Social interactions more likely depend on larger and more complex neural systems, where the SC may play a key role in early infancy. The implications of these recent findings are discussed under an evolutionary perspective.

An animal model of disengagement: Temporary inactivation of the superior colliculus impairs attention disengagement in rats

“…Taken together, these findings suggest that SC malfunctioning and/or malformation might be related to the origin and development of autism. Consistent with this idea, bilateral SC lesions induced deficits in social behaviors in infant monkeys [26], and relations between anatomical disturbance in the SC and social and cognitive deficits in autism have been suggested in rats [27]. Along with these previous studies, the present data suggest that the SC is a compelling target for the investigation of attentional deficits in autism.…”

Theory of Mind: Towards an Evolutionary Theory

“…Similarly, studies have shown that the superior colliculus, another structure involved in the control of ToM, is implicated in the visual detection and recognition of threatening stimuli such as snakes and faces with emotional expressions (Maior et al 2012). This overlap in function is most pronounced during infancy, a finding also in line with the present hypothesis as TI and IS are also more pronounced in immature individuals.…”

Whole-Body Prepulse Inhibition Protocol to Test Sensorymotor Gating Mechanisms in Monkeys

“…These results support previous studies that demonstrated the importance of such structures in PPI [3], [14]. Although SC is involved in responses to visual stimuli, including detection of salient stimuli, head and eyes orientation, saccadic movements and shifts of attention [15]–[20], this subcortical structure is strongly implicated in defensive behaviours [21]–[24]. In addiction, SC receives auditory inputs from inferior colliculus [25] that must be related to PPI [13].…”