Biological Systems that Control Conditioned Fear Memory

Abstract

Conditioned fear memory is critical for behavioral adaptation to the environment surrounding an individual. It is widely accepted that this implicit memory and its abnormal control are involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders in which fear is a contributory factor. Identification of the biological system that plays a modulatory role in conditioned fear memory is fundamental to understanding the adjustment of these memory processes. In this brief review, we introduced recent findings of ours and other researchers on the control of conditioned fear memory. It is expected that elucidation of the control mechanisms aids in developing new treatment for anxiety disorders.