Different neuron networks control fear of different threats - The Diigo Meta page

• 23 Mar 09
  

  Brian J

  amygdala fear

• 10 Mar 09
  

  Rudy Garns

  If you wanted to turn a rat into a fearless critter, unfazed by cats or bigger rats, the best way would be to neutralise a small pair of tiny structures in its brain called the dorsal premammillary nuclei, orPMD. According to new research by Simone Motta at the University of Sao Paolo, these small regions, nestled within a rat's hypothalamus, control its defensive instincts to both predators and other rats. (Not Exactly Rocket Science)

  fear brains cogsci amygdala

  • The front and side parts (the ventrolateral area) are concerned with threats from dominant and aggressive members of the same species
  • the rear and middle parts (the dorsomedial area) process the threats of cats and other predators.

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