Fear Memory Formation
The Key Role of Thyroid Hormone in Fear Memory Formation Thyroid hormones , primarily triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), are essential regulators of brain development, metabolism, and function. Recent scientific studies have uncovered a surprising and significant role of thyroid hormones in emotional processing, particularly in the formation of fear memories —a critical component of survival but also central to anxiety disorders such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Understanding Fear Memory Fear memory is a form of associative learning where an organism learns to associate a specific stimulus (like a sound or place) with a frightening event (such as a shock). This process is crucial for survival as it helps organisms avoid future threats. Key brain regions involved in fear memory formation include: Amygdala : Processes fear and emotional memories. Hippocampus : Encodes contextual information. Prefrontal cortex : Modulates fear responses and extinction. Thyroid ...