Using fear as a political platform has created a resurgence in feelings of tribalism. The utilization of fear as a political tool is uninformed, illogical and can result in increased social violence. A new study looks at the impact of the politics of fear on tribalism.
A new report warns most software designed to read facial emotions are based on outdated scientific data. Researchers say the majority of emotional detection software applications do not capture real differences in the way people convey, or interpret, emotion on faces.
Levels of a key molecule are elevated in the amygdala of both humans and mouse models of PTSD. The microRNA, mir-135b-5p, may be a novel biomarker for treating the disorder.
Using optogenetics to stimulate different areas of the hippocampus has the ability to enhance or suppress memories in mice. The findings could have implications for suppressing memories associated with traumatic events in PTSD, and also in enhancing cognitive ability or improving memory for those with neurodegenerative diseases, in the future.
Those with anxiety escape from non-imminent threats of danger sooner than those who are not anxious.
The Ph4-tm gene has been implicated in fear and anxiety. P4h-tm knockout mice showed diminished response to fear and showed more courageous behavior than wild-type mice with a functional P4h-tm gene.
Females offspring whose mothers experienced maternal immune activation while pregnant displayed an array of behavioral abnormalities associated with schizophrenia.
Imbalanced communication between the hippocampus and amygdala may lead to the inability to distinguish between negative memories that have overlapping features. The findings could provide new treatment options for those with PTSD.
Newly identified 'extinction neurons' in the hippocampus suppress fearful memories when activated, and allow the memories to return when deactivated. The findings may provide new treatment avenues for PTSD, phobias, and anxiety.
Researchers report estrogen may play a significant role in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The study reports mice whose neurons did not produce estrogen have impairments in spatial reference memories, recognition and contextual fear memories. Restoring estrogen levels assisted in reversing the memory impairments, the study revealed.
Researchers report fear extinction memories form as a result of an adenosine modification, which help to increase the activity of specific genes.
From designing drugs to help suppress traumatic memories, to harnessing the power of heartbeats, researchers are searching for new therapies to help people overcome their fears and phobias.