The elegant complexity of fear in non-human animals.

Abstract

Activation of the fear system is adaptive, and protects individuals from impending harm; yet, exacerbation of the fear system is at the source of anxiety-related disorders. Here, we briefly review the 'why' and 'how' of fear, with an emphasis on models that encapsulate the elegant complexity of rodents' behavioral responding in the face of impending harm, and its relevance to developing treatment interventions.