Angst and the amygdala.
Fear is an adaptation to danger, but excessive fear underlies diverse forms of mental anguish and pathology. One neural site linked to a sense of adversity is the amygdala, and one neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), is localized within the central nucleus of the amygdala. Glucocorticoids enhance the production of CRH in this region of the brain, resulting in increased attention to external events and, when sustained for longer periods of time, perhaps contributing to anxious depression.
Schulkin
Jay
J
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. jschulkin@acog.org
D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone