The main learning theories are classical conditioning and operant conditioning, and these paradigms help us to study the underlying anatomical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of fear memory in laboratory settings. According to behavioral theory, these two learning mechanisms are responsible for development and continuum of anxiety disorders in humans. Exposure- response prevention is the main behavioral technique in the treatment of anxiety disorders and shows its effect by reversing these learning processes. Exposure is a technique in which conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without coupling with unconditioned stimulus with the aim of extinction of fear memory which is developed by classical conditioning, and consolidated by operant conditioning. As a result, conditioned response is extinguished. In this review, the recent literature about neurobiology of exposure is reviewed. In the first part of this review, the steps of fear memory consolidation and extinction are summarized. In the further parts, the related neuroanatomical areas and molecular mechanisms are related. As for neuroanatomical structures the neural networks between amygdala, hippocampus, insular cortex, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum are reviewed. As for molecular mechanisms, the contribution of second messenger systems in fear memory consolidation and extinction are reviewed. In the last part of the review, the contribution of cognitive enhancers which are given during exposure on extinction of fear memory and thus, related neurotransmitter systems are reviewed. Reviewing the neurobiology of exposure technique may contribute the understanding of neurobiology of psychotherapy in general.
Key words: Exposure, response prevention, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, fear memory, extinction, neurobiology, neuroanatomy.
Exposure, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, fear, memory, extinction, neurobiology, neuroanatomy.
|
