Roles of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala in fear reactions

Anneloes M. Hulsman, David Terburg, Karin Roelofs, Floris Klumpers*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) plays a critical modulatory role in driving fear responses. Part of the so-called extended amygdala, this region shares many functions and connections with the substantially more investigated amygdala proper. In this chapter, we review contributions of the BNST and amygdala to subjective, behavioral, and physiological aspects of fear. Despite the fact that both regions are together involved in each of these aspects of fear, they appear complimentary in their contributions. Specifically, the basolateral amygdala (BLA), through its connections to sensory and orbitofrontal regions, is ideally poised for fast learning and controlling fear reactions in a variety of situations. The central amygdala (CeA) relies on BLA input and is particularly important for adjusting physiological and behavioral responses under acute threat. In contrast, the BNST may profit from more extensive striatal and dorsomedial prefrontal connections to drive anticipatory responses under more ambiguous conditions that allow more time for planning. Thus current evidence suggests that the BNST is ideally suited to play a critical role responding to distant or ambiguous threats and could thereby facilitate goal-directed defensive action.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Clinical Neurology
PublisherElsevier bedrijfsinformatie b.v.
Chapter28
Pages419-432
Number of pages14
Volume179
ISBN (Print)978-0-12-819975-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Publication series

NameHandbook of Clinical Neurology
Volume179
ISSN (Print)0072-9752
ISSN (Electronic)2212-4152

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Amygdala
  • Anxiety
  • Avoidance
  • Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Fear
  • fMRI
  • Lesion studies
  • Threat anticipation
  • Threat imminence

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