Differences in the Neurological Pathways of Innate and Learned Fear

Authors

Efrat Jacob

Abstract

Fear is a fundamental emotion for survival. However, not all fears are the same, leading to a necessary distinction between the two main subsections of fear; innate and learned. This research paper investigates whether the neural pathways underlying innate and learned fear are independent of each other. Using optogenetics and pharmacology, researchers have manipulated specific brain regions and circuits involved in fear processing, such as the amygdala, hypothalamus, and PAG (periaqueductal gray). By measuring the behavioral and physiological indicators of fear in rodents exposed to different types of stimuli, research suggests that there may be partial overlap between the neural pathways of innate and learned fear, with some distinct differences. Lastly, the implications of these findings are discussed for understanding the mechanisms and functions of fear.

Recommended Citation

Efrat Jacob. (2023). Differences in the Neurological Pathways of Innate and Learned Fear. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 17(1), 14-25. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol17/iss1/3