Cited by 26Memory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Expanding the canon: An inclusive neurobiology of thalamic and subthalamic fear circuits

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Venkataraman, Archana, Dias, Brian George·2023·Neuropharmacology

Abstract

Appropriate expression of fear in the face of threats in the environment is essential for survival. The sustained expression of fear in the absence of threat signals is a central pathological feature of trauma- and anxiety-related disorders. Our understanding of the neural circuitry that controls fear inhibition coalesces around the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. By discussing thalamic and sub-thalamic influences on fear-related learning and expression in this review, we suggest a more inclusive neurobiological framework that expands our canonical view of fear. First, we visit how fear-related learning and expression is influenced by the aforementioned canonical brain regions. Next, we review emerging data that shed light on new roles for thalamic and subthalamic nuclei in fear-related learning and expression. Then, we highlight how these neuroanatomical hubs can modulate fear via integration of sensory and salient stimuli, gating information flow and calibrating behavioral responses, as well as maintaining and updating memory representations. Finally, we propose that the presence of this thalamic and sub-thalamic neuroanatomy in parallel with the tripartite prefrontal cortex-amygdala-hippocampus circuit allows for dynamic modulation of information based on interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Fear, Anxiety and PTSD".

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109380

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  1. [77]Cho JH, Deisseroth K, Bolshakov VY, Synaptic encoding of fear extinction in mPFCamygdala circuits. Neuron 80, 1491– 1507 (2013). 24290204 PMC3872173

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Authors
Venkataraman, A., & Dias, B. G.
Affiliations
  • University of San Francisco (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Dias, Brian George
Venue
Neuropharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-03
Volume
226
Pages
109380
ISSN
0028-3908 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4313397549
Cited by
26
References
193
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3
FWCI
0.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
NIMH
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
fear circuit, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, fear extinction, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, interoception, exteroception, memory updating, neural circuits
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Brain, Fear, Humans, Learning, Thalamus

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