Why It’s Fun to Be Frightened
With Halloween just around the corner, researchers look at why many of us find enjoyment out of being scared.... Read More...
fear
Eye Movements Take Edge off Traumatic Memories
Researchers report EMDR, a widely used but controversial psychotherapy technique, can help suppress fear related amygdala activity during the recall of traumatic memories.... Read More...
It’s All in the Eyes: Amygdala’s Role in the Experience and Perception of Fear
A new study reveals a new hypothesis about the role the amygdala plays in the experience and perception of fear. Researchers say, instead of directly mediating fear, the amygdala is involved in a person's ability to attend to the whites of another person's widening eyes, something that is more generally important to social functioning. ... Read More...
Dopamine’s Role in Unlearning Fearful Association
Researchers report dopamine neurons may play a role in fear extinction. The study suggests targeting dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area could be of therapeutic benefit to reduce the impact of learned fear in PTSD and anxiety disorders.... Read More...
Why Our Brains See the World As “Us” Versus “Them”
Researchers say our neural circuits could be responsible for why we find comfort in those who are similar to us and why we are often uneasy with those who might differ from us.... Read More...
Dogs Understand What’s Written All Over Your Face
A new study reports dogs use different parts of their brains to process negative and positive emotional cues in human facial expressions.... Read More...
Brain Circuits Behind Putting Up a Fight or Freezing in Place Identified
Researchers have identified two brain pathways that appear to be critical in determining how mice react to visual threats. The findings could have implications for treating PTSD and phobias in humans.... Read More...
Researchers Find Fear and Courage Switches in Brain
Researchers have identified a cluster of neurons in mouse brains that encourage fear response to perceived threats. When an adjacent cluster of neurons is activated, boldness and courage behaviors are exhibited.... Read More...
Fight, Flight or Freeze
Olfactory system neurons appear to play a role in the connection between rhythmic breathing and emotional regulation, researchers report.... Read More...
Gene Variant Increases Empathy Driven Fear: Mouse Study
Researchers have identified a specific genetic variant that appears to help facilitate empathy driven by fear in rodents.... Read More...
Connection Between Dopamine and Behavior Related to Pain and Fear
Using optogenetics, researchers have identified a causal association between dopamine and avoidance behavior linked to pain and fear.... Read More...
Decoding the Chemistry of Fear
Discovery about fear pathways in the brains of worms could have implications for better understanding anxiety in humans, researchers report.... Read More...