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Potential Threat (“Anxiety”)

RDoC Classification

Domain: Negative Valence Systems

Description

Activation of a brain system in which harm may potentially occur but is distant, ambiguous, or low/uncertain in probability, characterized by a pattern of responses such as enhanced risk assessment (vigilance). These responses to low imminence threats are qualitatively different than the high imminence threat behaviors that characterize fear.

Molecules

CortisolCRF family

Cells

Pituitary cells

Circuits

Bed nucleus of stria terminalis

Physiology

ACTHAverage cortisol levelsPotentiated startle

Self-Report

Anxiety Sensitivity IndexBISFear of Negative Evaluation ScaleIntolerance of Uncertainty ScaleLEDS

Paradigms

NPU Threat Task