Dorian Battivelli, Zhengxiao Fan, Hailan Hu, Cornelius T. Gross
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The study of behaviour is dominated by two approaches. On the one hand, ethologists aim to understand how behaviour promotes adaptation to natural contexts. On the other, neuroscientists aim to understand the molecular, cellular, circuit and psychological origins of behaviour. These two complementary approaches must be combined to arrive at a full understanding of behaviour in its natural setting. However, methodological limitations have restricted most neuroscientific research to the study of how discrete sensory stimuli elicit simple behavioural responses under controlled laboratory conditions that are only distantly related to those encountered in real life. Fortunately, the recent advent of neural monitoring and manipulation tools adapted for use in freely behaving animals has enabled neuroscientists to incorporate naturalistic behaviours into their studies and to begin to consider ethological questions. Here, we examine the promises and pitfalls of this trend by describing how investigations of rodent fear, aggression and dominance behaviours are changing to take advantage of an ethological appreciation of behaviour. We lay out current impediments to this approach and propose a framework for the evolution of the field that will allow us to take maximal advantage of an ethological approach to neuroscience and to increase its relevance for understanding human behaviour.
期刊介绍:
Nature Reviews Neuroscience is a journal that is part of the Nature Reviews portfolio. It focuses on the multidisciplinary science of neuroscience, which aims to provide a complete understanding of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Advances in molecular, developmental, and cognitive neuroscience have made it possible to tackle longstanding neurobiological questions. However, the wealth of knowledge generated by these advancements has created a need for new tools to organize and communicate this information efficiently. Nature Reviews Neuroscience aims to fulfill this need by offering an authoritative, accessible, topical, and engaging resource for scientists interested in all aspects of neuroscience. The journal covers subjects such as cellular and molecular neuroscience, development of the nervous system, sensory and motor systems, behavior, regulatory systems, higher cognition and language, computational neuroscience, and disorders of the brain. Editorial decisions for the journal are made by a team of full-time professional editors who are PhD-level scientists.