Connexions between the dorsomedial division of the ventromedial hypothalamus and the dorsal periaqueductal grey matter are critical in the elaboration of hypothalamically mediated panic-like behaviour
dmVMH neurons can trigger panic-like escape but does not act independently. dPAG neurons mainly produce freezing and explosive escape independently. Projections from dmVMH to dPAG play an important role in the elaboration of defence.