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Research Domain Criteria - banner

Acute Threat (“Fear”)

RDoC Classification

Domain: Negative Valence Systems

Description

Activation of the brain’s defensive motivational system to promote behaviors that protect the organism from perceived danger. Normal fear involves a pattern of adaptive responses to conditioned or unconditioned threat stimuli (exteroceptive or interoceptive). Fear can involve internal representations and cognitive processing, and can be modulated by a variety of factors.

Molecules

BDNFCCKCortisol/CorticosteroneCRF familyDopamineEndogenous cannabinoidsFGF2GABAGlutamateNeuropeptide SNeurosteroidsNMDARNPYOrexinOxytocinSerotoninVasopressin

Cells

GABAergic cellsGliaNeuronsPyramidal cells

Circuits

autonomic nervous systemBasAmygCentral Nucleusd-hippocampus (post)dmPFC (pl)dorsal ACCdPAGHypothalamusICMsinsular cortexLatAmyglatPFC/insulaLCMedial AmygOFCPAGPonsrostral/vent ACCRPVMv-hippocampus (ant)vmPFC (il)vPAG

Physiology

BPContext StartleEMGEye TrackingFacial EMGFear Potentiated StartleHeart RatepupillometryRespirationResponse accuracySkin Conductance

Behavior

Analgesiaapproach (early development)AvoidanceFacial expressionsFreezingOpen fieldResponse inhibitionResponse timeRisk assessmentSocial approach

Self-Report

Fear survey scheduleSUDS

Paradigms

Behavioral Approach TestCO2 Challenge TestCold Pressor TestFear conditioningStranger TestsTrier Social Stress Test