Overcoming aversive emotional memories requires neural systems that detect when fear
responses are no longer appropriate so that they can be extinguished. The midbrain ventral
tegmental area (VTA) dopamine system has been implicated in reward and more broadly in
signaling when a better-than-expected outcome has occurred. This suggests that it may be
important in guiding fear to safety transitions. We report that when an expected aversive
outcome does not occur, activity in midbrain dopamine neurons is necessary to extinguish …