Here we provide a review of the animal and human literature concerning the role of the amygdala in fear conditioning, considering its potential influence over autonomic and hormonal changes, motor behavior and attentional processes. A stimulus that predicts an aversive outcome will change neural transmission in the amygdala to produce the somatic, autonomic and endocrine signs of fear, as well as increased attention to that stimulus. It is now clear that the amygdala is also involved in learning about positively valenced stimuli as well as spatial and motor learning and this review strives to integrate this additional information. A review of available studies examining the human amygdala covers both lesion and electrical stimulation studies as well as the most recent functional neuroimaging studies. Where appropriate, we attempt to integrate basic information on normal amygdala function with our current understanding of psychiatric disorders, including pathological anxiety.

The amygdala: vigilance and emotion

Objective: Most research on the effects of severe psychological stress has focused on stress-related psychopathology. Here, the author develops psychobiological models of resilience to extreme stress. Method: An integrative model of resilience and vulnerability that encompasses the neurochemical response patterns to acute stress and the neural mechanisms mediating reward, fear conditioning and extinction, and social behavior is proposed. Results: Eleven possible neurochemical, neuropeptide, and hormonal mediators of the psychobiological response to extreme stress were identified and related to resilience or vulnerability. The neural mechanisms of reward and motivation (hedonia, optimism, and learned helpfulness), fear responsiveness (effective behaviors despite fear), and adaptive social behavior (altruism, bonding, and teamwork) were found to be relevant to the character traits associated with resilience. Conclusions: The opportunity now exists to bring to bear the full power of advances in our understanding of the neurobiological basis of behavior to facilitate the discoveries needed to predict, prevent, and treat stress-related psychopathology.

/pdf/psychobiological-mechanisms-of-resilience-and-vulnerability-np7obpny98.pdf

Psychobiological Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability: Implications for Successful Adaptation to Extreme Stress

The neurobiology and control of anxious states

http://usdbiology.com/cliff/Courses/Advanced%20Seminars%20in%20Neuroendocrinology/Anxiety%20and%20Decision%20Making/Koob%2008%20Neuron%20Brain%20Stress%20Systems%20in%20Addiction.pdf

A Role for Brain Stress Systems in Addiction

Role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis versus the amygdala in fear, stress, and anxiety

Role of corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin within the basolateral amygdala of rats in anxiety and panic responses.

Astressin, a corticotropin releasing factor antagonist, reverses the anxiogenic effects of urocortin when administered into the basolateral amygdala.

The present invention provides a method for the
treatment of prevention of anxiety disorders which comprises
administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a
serotonin 5-HT 1F receptor antagonist.

Use of 5HT-1F receptor antagonists for treating anxiety disorders

This invention provides 5-HT1f antagonists of Formula I: where AR1, AR2, R, and R′ are as defined in the specification.

5-HT1F antagonists

Cette invention a trait a une methode de traitement ou de prevention des troubles anxieux consistant a administrer a un mammifere necessitant un tel traitement un antagoniste du recepteur de la serotonine 5-HT1F.

Tammy Joy Sajdyk

Papers

Role of corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin within the basolateral amygdala of rats in anxiety and panic responses.

Astressin, a corticotropin releasing factor antagonist, reverses the anxiogenic effects of urocortin when administered into the basolateral amygdala.

Use of 5HT-1F receptor antagonists for treating anxiety disorders

5-HT1F antagonists

Traitement des troubles anxieux