Citation

Milton AL. F1000Res. 2019; 8: 20053.1.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, F1000 Research)

DOI

10.12688/f1000research.20053.1

PMID

31824654

PMCID

PMC6880271

Abstract

Fear is a highly adaptive emotion that has evolved to promote survival and reproductive fitness. However, maladaptive expression of fear can lead to debilitating stressor-related and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the neural basis of fear has been extensively researched for several decades, recent technological advances in pharmacogenetics and optogenetics have allowed greater resolution in understanding the neural circuits that underlie fear. Alongside conceptual advances in the understanding of fear memory, this increased knowledge has clarified mechanisms for some currently available therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder and has identified new potential treatment targets.

Copyright: © 2019 Milton AL.

Language: en

Keywords

PTSD; amygdala; fear; hippocampus; infralimbic; memory; prelimbic; reconsolidation