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What ethologically based models have taught us about the neural systems underlying fear and anxiety
Canteras, N.S.; Mota-Ortiz, S.R.; Motta, S.C..
  • Canteras, N.S.; Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Anatomia. São Paulo. BR
  • Mota-Ortiz, S.R.; Universidade Cidade de São Paulo. Laboratório Bases Neurais do Comportamento. São Paulo. BR
  • Motta, S.C.; Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. Departamento de Anatomia. São Paulo. BR
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 45(4): 321-327, Apr. 2012. ilus
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-622758
ABSTRACT
Classical Pavlovian fear conditioning to painful stimuli has provided the generally accepted view of a core system centered in the central amygdala to organize fear responses. Ethologically based models using other sources of threat likely to be expected in a natural environment, such as predators or aggressive dominant conspecifics, have challenged this concept of a unitary core circuit for fear processing. We discuss here what the ethologically based models have told us about the neural systems organizing fear responses. We explored the concept that parallel paths process different classes of threats, and that these different paths influence distinct regions in the periaqueductal gray - a critical element for the organization of all kinds of fear responses. Despite this parallel processing of different kinds of threats, we have discussed an interesting emerging view that common cortical-hippocampal-amygdalar paths seem to be engaged in fear conditioning to painful stimuli, to predators and, perhaps, to aggressive dominant conspecifics as well. Overall, the aim of this review is to bring into focus a more global and comprehensive view of the systems organizing fear responses.
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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Anxiety / Periaqueductal Gray / Conditioning, Psychological / Fear / Amygdala Limits: Animals Language: English Journal: Braz. j. med. biol. res Journal subject: Biology / Medicine Year: 2012 Type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Universidade Cidade de São Paulo/BR / Universidade de São Paulo/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Anxiety / Periaqueductal Gray / Conditioning, Psychological / Fear / Amygdala Limits: Animals Language: English Journal: Braz. j. med. biol. res Journal subject: Biology / Medicine Year: 2012 Type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Universidade Cidade de São Paulo/BR / Universidade de São Paulo/BR