Advances in neural circuits of innate fear defense behavior / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Fear, a negative emotion triggered by dangerous stimuli, can lead to psychiatric disorders such as phobias, anxiety disorders, and depression. Investigating the neural circuitry underlying congenital fear can offer insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of related psychiatric conditions. Research on innate fear primarily centers on the response mechanisms to various sensory signals, including olfactory, visual and auditory stimuli. Different types of fear signal inputs are regulated by distinct neural circuits. The neural circuits of the main and accessory olfactory systems receive and process olfactory stimuli, mediating defensive responses like freezing. Escape behaviors elicited by visual stimuli are primarily regulated through the superior colliculus and hypothalamic projection circuits. Auditory stimuli-induced responses, including escape, are mainly mediated through auditory cortex projection circuits. In this article, we review the research progress on neural circuits of innate fear defensive behaviors in animals. We further discuss the different sensory systems, especially the projection circuits of olfactory, visual and auditory systems, to provide references for the mechanistic study of related mental disorders.

Ego defense mechanisms among pediatric dental postgraduate students in India A descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Ego defense mechanisms (EDMs) act as a major factor for overcoming stressful situations in life. Aims: The study aimed to assess the various patterns and factors of EDMs employed by pediatric dental postgraduate students in India. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional design, web-based questionnaire survey. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study on EDM was conducted among 246 pediatric dental postgraduates in India from July to October 2019. The modified form of the Defense Style Questionnaire-20 included 10 EDMs under three major patterns– Mature, Immature, and Neurotic. The questionnaire was sent to all pediatric dental postgraduates enrolled in the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry and reminders were sent every week for 6 weeks. Results: Among the 1041 pediatric dental postgraduates who received the E-mail, two hundred and forty-six students responded to the same. The respondents included 89 males and 157 females. The mature pattern was found to be the most commonly employed EDM (males-47.20%; females-51.60%). Sublimation (72.76%), a mature type of defense was found to be the most common EDM factor employed by the majority of the students. The immature pattern was higher among males when compared to females (males-14.60%; females-5.70%). Conclusion: Most pediatric dental postgraduates exhibited a mature pattern, followed by a neurotic and immature pattern of EDM. The mature pattern of EDM was displayed more by the female students than the male students. Sublimation was found to be the maximum expressed factor followed by acting out.