Scientists discover how the brain learns to overcome fear

Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at UCL have looked at how the brain learns to suppress responses to fear, and perceived threats which become harmless over time. As vLGN also receives strong input from the visual areas in the cerebral cortex, this made researchers explore whether this neural pathway had a role in learning not to fear a visual threat. This neural pathway can provide a link between cognitive neocortical processes and ‘hard-wired’ brainstem-mediated behaviours, enabling animals to adapt to instinctive behaviours.” While explaining the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the process, the researchers mentioned how learning occurs through increased neural activity in specific vLGN neurones, which is triggered by the release of endocannabinoids – brain-internal messenger molecules known to regulate mood and memory. This decreases inhibitory input to vLGN neurones, resulting in heightened activity in brain areas when the visual threat stimulus is encountered, which suppresses fear responses. The research team is planning to collaborate with clinical researchers to study these brain circuits, with the hope of developing new, targeted treatments for maladaptive fear responses and anxiety disorders.