The neural substrates of attentional learning in Pavlovian conditioning

目前的心理学理论使用错误纠正机制来解释正常恐惧、夸大恐惧和恐惧发展失败的发展。一类理论认为，这些机制通过决定注意力的分配来产生这样的结果。注意力学习的机制尚未被纳入学习性恐惧的神经生物学治疗。这个项目将确定注意力学习的神经生物学基础，从而进一步加深我们对恐惧的神经生物学的理解。这种理解对于开发更有效的恐惧症治疗方法是必要的（例如，创伤后应激障碍）。

Current psychological theories use error correction mechanisms to explain the development of normal fear, exaggerated fear and the failure to develop fear. One class of theory proposes that these mechanisms produce such outcomes by determining the allocation of attention. Mechanisms for attentional learning have yet to be incorporated into neurobiological treatments of learned fear. This project will identify the neurobiological substrate of attentional learning and thus further our understanding of the neurobiology of fear. This understanding is necessary for the development of more effective treatments of disorders of fear (e.g., Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).