Why We Stay Afraid
A newly discovered brain region in mice solves a longstanding mystery about how fear lingers after threats fade The post Why We Stay Afraid appeared first on Nautilus .
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown brain region in male mice that appears to keep fear responses active even after the initial threat has passed. This region, called the amygdalostriatal transition zone, or ASt, is situated just adjacent to the amygdala and is capable of firing neurons with greater intensity and duration than the amygdala itself.
The ASt is linked directly to the striatum, a brain area responsible for planning, initiating, and controlling voluntary movement. Studying this region may provide insights into the development of treatments for fear and panic disorders.
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