Nat Commun: How do the microcircuits in the brain regulate fear?

Fear is an important response, it warns and protects us from danger
.

But when the fear response is out of control, this can lead to persistent fear and anxiety

Recent studies have shown that certain groups of neurons in the amygdala are essential for regulating fear responses
.

The amygdala is a small almond-shaped brain structure in the center of the brain.

Recent studies have shown that certain groups of neurons in the amygdala are essential for regulating fear responses

Researchers from the University of Bern found that the amygdala plays a more active role in these processes than previously thought: the center of the amygdala is not only the "hub" that produces the fear response, but also contains neurons that regulate and inhibit the fear response.

The scientists studied the activity of the central amygdala (CEA) neurons in the process of suppressing the fear response in mice .

They can identify different cell types that affect animal behavior .
The researchers used several methods, including a technique called optogenetics, which they can use to precisely turn off the activity of a specific enzyme in a population of neurons identified in CEA -light pulses .

The scientists studied the activity of the central amygdala (CEA) neurons in the process of suppressing the fear response in mice .
They can identify different cell types that affect animal behavior .
The researchers used several methods, including a technique called optogenetics, which they can use to precisely turn off the activity of a specific enzyme in a population of neurons identified in CEA -light pulses .
This weakens the inhibition of the fear response, and the animal becomes extremely fearful .
The targeted intervention of specific cell types of CEA strongly affects the fear response.
The visual silencing of these specific neurons completely eliminates the inhibition of fear and triggers a morbid state of fear .

 

 

Neurons related to the disappearance of fear in the CEA neuron subgroup

Neurons related to disappearance of fear in the CEA neuron subgroup Neurons related to disappearance of fear in the CEA neuron subgroup Neurons related to disappearance of fear in the CEA neuron subgroup

In humans, the dysfunction of this system, the insufficient plasticity of the CEA nerve cells described here , may lead to impaired inhibition of fear memory in patients with anxiety and trauma-related diseases .

A better understanding of these processes will help develop more specific treatments for these diseases .
Scientists believe that further research is necessary to investigate whether the findings in simple animal models can infer anxiety in humans

In humans, the dysfunction of this system, the insufficient plasticity of the CEA nerve cells described here , may lead to impaired inhibition of fear memory in patients with anxiety and trauma-related diseases .
A better understanding of these processes will help develop more specific treatments for these diseases .
Scientists believe that further research is necessary to investigate whether the findings in simple animal models can infer anxiety in humans

The diversity of neurons is a characteristic of the cortical network , and different neuronal cell types interact through selective synaptic contacts and neural activity patterns

Article reference: Nigel Whittle, Jonathan Fadok, Kathryn P.

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