Researchers have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears. The study in mice could have implications for developing therapeutics for fear-related disorders such as phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears. The study in mice could have implications for developing therapeutics for fear-related disorders such as phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder .
"Humans are born with instinctive fear reactions, such as responses to loud noises or fast-approaching objects," explains Dr Mederos, Research Fellow in the Hofer Lab at SWC."However, we can override these instinctive responses through experience -- like children learning to enjoy fireworks rather than fear their loud bangs. We wanted to understand the brain mechanisms that underlie such forms of learning.
The study revealed two key components in this learning process: specific regions of the visual cortex proved essential for the learning process, and a brain structure called the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus stores these learning-induced memories. The researchers also uncovered the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this process. Learning occurs through increased neural activity in specific vLGN neurons, triggered by the release of endocannabinoids -- brain-internal messenger molecules known to regulate mood and memory. This release decreases inhibitory input to vLGN neurons, resulting in heightened activity in this brain area when the visual threat stimulus is encountered, which suppresses fear responses.
This research was funded by the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre core grant from the Gatsby Charity Foundation and Wellcome ; a Wellcome Investigator Award ; an EMBO postdoctoral fellowship and a Wellcome Early Career Award .Neuroscientists have discovered how the brain bidirectionally controls sensitivity to threats to initiate and complete escape behaviour in mice. These findings could help unlock new directions for ...
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