How does the brain process emotions? This review delves into the neuroscience of emotion, highlighting significant progress made through studies of fear conditioning. Pinpointing the amygdala as a crucial component, the author explains the mechanism through which stimuli enter, travel, and exit the amygdala. The review synthesizes findings on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fear conditioning, demonstrating their applicability to the human brain. The author emphasizes that avoiding vague concepts and adopting straightforward experimental approaches contributed to the success of this research area. Building on this foundation, the review urges expansion into broader aspects of mind and behavior. By highlighting successful methodologies and cautioning against past mistakes, this review offers valuable guidance for future research into the complex neuroscience of emotion.
Published in the Annual Review of Neuroscience, this paper summarizes and synthesizes current research, aligning perfectly with the journal's aim to provide comprehensive overviews of key topics in neuroscience. The review on emotion circuits in the brain reflects the journal's emphasis on high-quality, insightful analyses of significant developments in the field.