Fear, Defense & Associative Regulation

在许多情况下，恐惧是一种习得的反应。 这 研究项目旨在了解神经生物学 这些习得性恐惧背后的机制 一条研究路线 检查N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体的操作， 如果它们参与了恐惧记忆的编码， 记忆巩固、检索或行为表现。 这 受体很有趣，因为它与某些 神经元的变化可能为神经系统 来存储信息。 第二条研究路线探讨了 内源性阿片类物质（内啡肽）在恐惧学习中的作用。 恐惧 导致内啡肽的释放，这些内啡肽反过来又限制了 或调节额外的学习。 该法规通常 结果是控制恐惧的程度， 恐惧是适合特定情况的。

In many situations fear is a learned response. This research project seeks to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these learned fears. One line of research examines manipulations of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors to see if they are involved in encoding of fear memory as opposed to memory consolidation, retrieval or behavioral performance. This receptor is interesting because it has been implicated in certain changes in neurons that may provide a way for the nervous system to store information. The second line of research explores the role of endogenous opioids (endorphins) in fear learning. Fear causes release of endorphins and these endorphins in turn limit or regulate additional learning. This regulation normally results in controlling the magnitude of fear, so that the amount of fear is appropriate for the particular circumstance.