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amygdala

The roots of fear: Understanding the amygdala

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The roots of fear: Understanding the amygdala

Treating anxiety, depression and other disorders may depend on the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls strong emotional reactions, especially fear. But a deep understanding of this structure has been lacking. Now scientists at the University of California, Davis have identified new clusters of cells with differing patterns of gene expression in the … Read more

Depression: Dysfunction of neurons in the amygdala may be behind negative perceptions of the environment

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Depression: Dysfunction of neurons in the amygdala may be behind negative perceptions of the environment

One of the characteristics of depression is a tendency to perceive sensory stimuli and everyday situations in an excessively negative way. But the mechanisms underpinning this “negativity bias,” which can fuel the development of depressive symptoms, had previously remained largely unknown. To shed light on the question, scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the CNRS, … Read more