Neural Circuits For Context Specific Expression Of Pavlovian Fear Memory After Extinction

Using the most well-studied behavioral analyses of animal subjects to promote a better understanding of the effects of disease and the effects of new therapeutic treatments on human cognition, Methods of Behavior Analysis in Neuroscience provides a reference manual for molecular and cellular research scientists in both academia and the pharmaceutic

Learning and Memory: A Comprehensive Reference, Second Edition is the authoritative resource for scientists and students interested in all facets of learning and memory. This updated edition includes chapters that reflect the state-of-the-art of research in this area. Coverage of sleep and memory has been significantly expanded, while neuromodulators in memory processing, neurogenesis and epigenetics are also covered in greater detail. New chapters have been included to reflect the massive increase in research into working memory and the educational relevance of memory research. No other reference work covers so wide a territory and in so much depth. Provides the most comprehensive and authoritative resource available on the study of learning and memory and its mechanisms Incorporates the expertise of over 150 outstanding investigators in the field, providing a ‘one-stop’ resource of reputable information from world-leading scholars with easy cross-referencing of related articles to promote understanding and further research Includes further reading for each chapter that helps readers continue their research Includes a glossary of key terms that is helpful for users who are unfamiliar with neuroscience terminology

Neurobiology of PTSD outlines the basic neural mechanisms that mediate complex responses and adaptations to psychological trauma, describing how these biological processes are impaired in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Throughout three comprehensive sections, expert authors present detailed analysis of the neural circuitry of emotion, biological findings in post-traumatic stress disorder, and neuroscience informed treatment and prevention. This book is a foundational resource for psychiatrists, neuroscientists, psychologists, and allied health professionals.

The experience of fear and stress leaves an indelible trace on the brain. This indelible trace is observed as both changes in behavior and changes in neuronal structure and function. Fear and stress interact on many levels. The experience of stress may lead to the formation of a fearful memory trace of a place or reminder cue, and fearful memory formation is regulated by the extent of concurrent stress. The concurrent experience of fear and stress may amplify fear and slow fear extinction which may lead to pathology. Fear memory formation involves changes in synaptic plasticity while stress and glucocorticoids change neuronal structure. Thus, both neurons and synapses are changed. These changes can be identified, visualised and mapped within focused microcircuits. In this Research Topic we focus on current advances in both the neurobiology and behavioral consequences of fear and stress.

Application of optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools to study the neural circuits underlying emotional valence, feeding, arousal and motivated behaviors has provided crucial insights into brain function. Expression of light sensitive proteins into specific neurons and subsequent stimulation by light (optogenetics) to control neuronal activity or expression of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) in specific neuronal populations with subsequent activation or suppression of neuronal activity by an otherwise inert ligand (pharmacogenetics) provides control over defined elements of neural circuits. These novel tools have provided a more in depth understanding into several questions about brain function. These include: • Regulation of sleep-wake transition by the interaction of hypocretin neurons of lateral hypothalamus and nor adrenergic neurons of the locus coruleaus • Regulation of feeding by AGRP and POMC neurons in arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus • Place preference and positive reinforcement by activation of DA neuron of VTA • Place aversion by activation of VTA GABA and lateral habenula neurons • Opposing influences on reinforcement by activation of D1 and D2 expressing medium spiny neurons of dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens The list still grows... From cell type specific manipulations to signaling properties in the cell (Dietz et al 2012) with unprecedented temporal resolution, these tools revolutionize the exploration of pathways/connectivity. Recent years also witnessed the extension of applying these tools from studying emotional valence and motivated behavior to reactivation of memory. c-fos based genetic approaches allowed us to integrate light sensitive opsins or DREADD receptor into specific neurons that are activated by certain learning events (for example fear) (Garner et al 2012; Liu et al 2012). In this Research Topic, we welcome researchers to contribute original research articles, review articles, methods and commentary on topics utilizing optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools to study the neural circuits underlying emotional valence, motivation, reinforcement and memory. We believe the Research Topic will shine light on various questions we have about brain function by using novel optogenetic and pharmacogenetic tools and will hopefully inspire ongoing research to overcome the hurdles of using these tools to advance clinical applications.

Neurobiology of Abnormal Emotion and Motivated Behaviors: Integrating Animal and Human Research pulls together world-renowned leaders from both animal and human research, providing a conceptual framework on how neuroscience can inform our understanding of emotion and motivation, while also outlining methodological commonalities between animal and human neuroscience research, with an emphasis on experimental design, physiological recording techniques and outcome measures. Typically, researchers investigating the neurobiology of emotions focus on either animal models or humans. This book brings the two disciplines together to share information and collaborate on future experimental techniques, physiological measures and clinical outcomes. Integrates animal and human research to aid readers in discovering a clear path forward for translating basic science to clinical applications Provides overviews of the most recent research into the neuroscience behind maladaptive behaviors and psychiatric disorders Explores the commonalities in methods and outcome measures between animal and human researchers and how those commonalities can be harnessed for future collaboration and translational work