Recent research on memory, based largely on fear conditioning in rats, indicates that

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Recent research on memory, based largely on fear conditioning in rats, indicates that

Recent research on memory, based largely on fear conditioning in rats, indicates that

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Highlights

Subjective experiences are valuable for analyzing fear and fear-related memories.

Autobiographies are valuable for analyzing fear and fear-related memories.

These analyses would be valuable for longitudinal analyses in individuals.

These analyses would be valuable to measure response to behavioral and/or pharmacological interventions.

Linguistic analysis should be further developed and incorporated into standard care.

Abstract

Fear is an emotion that serves as a driving factor in how organisms move through the world. In this review, we discuss the current understandings of the subjective experience of fear and the related biological processes involved in fear learning and memory. We first provide an overview of fear learning and memory in humans and animal models, encompassing the neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms, the influence of genetic and environmental factors, and how fear learning paradigms have contributed to treatments for fear-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Current treatments as well as novel strategies, such as targeting the perisynaptic environment and use of virtual reality, are addressed. We review research on the subjective experience of fear and the role of autobiographical memory in fear-related disorders. We also discuss the gaps in our understanding of fear learning and memory, and the degree of consensus in the field. Lastly, the development of linguistic tools for assessments and treatment of fear learning and memory disorders is discussed.

Keywords

Fear

Virtual reality

Linguistics

Autobiography

Subjective fear

Neuroanatomy

Neuropharmacology

Abbreviations

ACC

anterior cingulate cortex

AET

autobiographic episodic training

AMT

Autobiographical Memory Test

BDNF

brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CAPS

Clinician Administered PTSD Scale

CAVE

computer automatic virtual environment

CB1

type 1 cannabinoid receptors

CBM

Cognitive Bias Modification

COMET

Competitive Memory Training

CR

conditioned fear response

CRH

corticotropin-releasing hormone

DLPFC

dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex

fMRI

functional magnetic resonance imaging

HPA

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal

LPFC

lateral prefrontal cortex

LTP

long-term potentiation

MDD

major depressive disorder

MEST

Memory Specificity Training

MPFC

medial prefrontal cortex

OCD

obsessive compulsive disorder

OFC

orbital frontal cortex

OGM

overgeneral autobiographical memory

PE

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

PPAR

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

PTSD

posttraumatic stress disorder

SBSS

selective brain steroidogenic stimulant

SCEPT

Sentence Completion for Events of the Past Test

SNP

single nucleotide polymorphism

SSRI

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

TEMPau

Test Episodique de Memoire du Passe autobiographique

THC

Δ9-tetrahydrocannibinol

VLPFC

ventral lateral prefrontal cortex

VMPFC

ventral medial prefrontal cortex

VRET

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

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© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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