Assessing the Neural Mechanisms of Anxiety :: Biology Essays Research Papers

A Lesser Wrong Model of Assessing the neuronal Mechanisms of AnxietyThe objective of our class and the neuroscientific community is to understand the complex neuronic pathways of the brain. The neural mechanisms of fear incur long puzzled researchers. Thus far, the depression is that two structures of the limbic system known as the squinty septum and the amygdaloid nucleus regulate anxiety. The present paper will examine the role of the lateral septum and the amygdala in propagating anxiety (supporting the brain = behavior paradigm), discuss the neural connection that exist between the Am and LS, consider the effects that benzodiazepine anxiolytics have on this neural connection, as well as introduce findings from my latest research that supports the lesser wrong model of anxiety.Amygdala and AnxiogenesisThe amygdala (hereafter cited as Am) is a known anxiety producing or anxiogenic structure (1). Anxiety is assessed by a number of animal studies that examine fear and emph asise responses in the presence of aversive stimuli such as a cut. Fear and stress responses in animals are good measures of anxiety because they correlate well with the symptoms detect in people with generalized anxiety disorder. For instance, studies that assess anxiety in animal paradigms report join ond stress induced ulceration, increased kindling beat, and increased galvanic skin conductance. Similarly, individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder suggest upset stomach, increased hear rate, and increased sweating. Hence, anxiety, fear, and stress responses are virtually related.Fear responses are behavioral changes that emit in the presence of aversive stimuli. The most common behavioral response (in rats) to aversive stimuli is behavioral touch also referred to as freezing. Behavioral arrest occurs when the animal freezes quest a cue for the aversive stimulus. Davis (1992) describes the freezing behavior as the animals apprehensive expectation that someth ing bad is about to happen.Stress responses are physiological changes that occur in response to aversive stimuli. Stress responses in animal and pitying studies include pupil dilation, increased heart beat, decreased salivation (or dry mouth), increase galvanic skin conductance (or increased sweating) and frequent defecation (or diarrhea). Studies have shown that during the creation of a tone that forewarns the animal of a shock, the animal show a multitude of stress responses including the ones listed above.Similarly, in a fMRI scan study, tender subjects showed Am activation in instructed fear or anticipatory anxiety task. In this task, subjects are manipulated into believing that they will receive a shock when a threatening stimulus is presented.