LOVE AND FEAR ARE VISIBLE ACROSS THE BRAIN, NOT RESTRICTED TO ONE REGION
A new study reports basic emotions, such as happiness and anger, are not limited to specific regions, but have distinct connectivity patterns that encompass much of the brain.… READ MORE…
BRAIN CIRCUITS THAT TRIGGER FEAR RELAPSE IDENTIFIED
Researchers report connections between the hippocampus and a specific type of neuron in the prefrontal cortex are involved in fear relapse. The findings could help in the development of new treatments for PTSD.… READ MORE…
THE FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL AND ITS ROLE IN ANXIETY DISORDERS
The fear of losing control over thoughts and actions can impact OCD behaviors and other anxiety disorders, researchers report.… READ MORE…
AUTISM AND THE SMELL OF FEAR
People on the autism spectrum appear to have different reactions to subliminal social odors, researchers report.… READ MORE…
NON-FEARFUL SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL LINKED POSITIVELY TO CREATIVITY
A new study reports there is an upside to social withdrawal, it can help to boost creativity.… READ MORE…
RESEARCHERS REVISE OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS TO FEAR
Researchers report conventional understanding of fear learning may be incorrect. Contrary to popular thought, the central amygdala, and not the lateral amygdala may be the seat of aversive learning.… READ MORE…
ITSY BITSY PHOBIA: FEAR OF SPIDERS AND SNAKES IS DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN US
Stress reactions are evoked in infants when they see snakes and spiders, even if they have never encountered them before. Based on this knowledge, researchers propose phobias of snakes and spiders are of evolutionary origin.… READ MORE…
LEARNING AND UNLEARNING FEAR: THE TWO FACES OF NORADRENALINE
RIKEN researchers report neurons in the locus coeruleus play a key role in emotional and flexible learning.… READ MORE…
STRESS HEIGHTENS FEAR OF THREATS FROM THE PAST
A new study reveals coupling old memories with a stressful event can make people perceive harmless situations as dangerous.… READ MORE…
HOW HEARING A WARNING SOUND TURNS INTO FEARING IT OVER TIME: MOUSE STUDY
Researchers identify a new mechanism that contributes to learning an association between a warning noise and a fearful event.… READ MORE…
HOW FEAR CAN DEVELOP OUT OF OTHERS’ TRAUMAS
The endogenous opioid system may be responsible for learned fear based on the trauma of others, researchers report.… READ MORE…
BRAIN REGION FOUND TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH FEAR OF UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Those who find it hard to cope with uncertainty over possible future threats could have an unusually large striatum, a new study reports.… READ MORE…