Deconstructing the Gestalt: Mechanisms of Fear, Threat, and Trauma Memory Encoding

Neuron. 2019 Apr 3;102(1):60-74. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.017.

Abstract

Threat processing is central to understanding debilitating fear- and trauma-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Progress has been made in understanding the neural circuits underlying the "engram" of threat or fear memory formation that complements a decades-old appreciation of the neurobiology of fear and threat involving hub structures such as the amygdala. In this review, we examine key recent findings, as well as integrate the importance of hormonal and physiological approaches, to provide a broader perspective of how bodily systems engaged in threat responses may interact with amygdala-based circuits in the encoding and updating of threat-related memory. Understanding how trauma-related memories are encoded and updated throughout the brain and the body will ultimately lead to novel biologically-driven approaches for treatment and prevention.

Keywords: PTSD; amygdala; circuit; fear; memory; physiology; stress; threat.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Amygdala / physiology
  • Amygdala / physiopathology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Central Amygdaloid Nucleus / physiology
  • Central Amygdaloid Nucleus / physiopathology
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Fear / physiology*
  • Fear / psychology
  • Glucocorticoids / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus / physiology
  • Hypothalamus / physiopathology
  • Interneurons / metabolism
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Psychological Trauma / metabolism
  • Psychological Trauma / physiopathology*
  • Psychological Trauma / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / metabolism
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Thalamus / metabolism
  • Thalamus / physiology
  • Thalamus / physiopathology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone