![]() These techniques might be applied as measures for dysfunctional and altered fear learning and may help in identifying the individuals who are at risk for developing psychiatric disorders. 3, 4, 5, 6 Thus, to further understand mechanisms of fear learning, many new techniques that allow studying physiological responses of fear conditioning are being developed. For these reasons, fear conditioning is broadly acknowledged to be a model for translational framework of psychiatric disorders. Nonetheless, the so-called indissoluble nature of emotional memory can be extremely damaging and have negative consequences for those individuals who have experienced traumatic events and may endure dreadful memories and severe anxiety. 2 From an evolutionary perspective, it is highly advantageous to preserve clear memories of the main significant experiences in life. 1 Fear conditioning is the most frequently adopted experimental design to investigate this circumstance that produces both behaviorally and physiologically conditioned responses. Learning to recognize and respond to certain stimuli or external contingencies that signal imminent threats is a widely useful and adaptable function for both animals and humans. ![]() Key words: prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, fear conditioning, fear neural network ![]() This editorial will discuss recent evidence of the neural and behavioral correlates of fear learning in humans, with an emphasis on the role of the human prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, despite a century of research, the neural circuitry underlying fear learning in humans is still a matter of debate. Learned fear memories activate defensive behaviors in anticipation of harm, thus minimizing the impact of the threat. Therefore, revealing the neurophysiological processes that govern the expression of emotional fear memory and exploring its neurobiological underpinnings are the imperatives of affective neuroscience. In the whole animal kingdom, fear learning is an essential process that allows living beings to survive. doi:10.17219/acem/146756 Neurobiological advances of learned fear in humansġ Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy Abstract Neurobiological advances of learned fear in humans.
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