For the first time scientists have confirmed the precise area of the brain that causes people to experience fear. The discovery may lead to improvements in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety induced conditions. The study is published in the journal Current Biology and details how University of Iowa researchers studied a woman who has a rare condition that destroyed the part of the brain called the amygdala.

Researchers observed her response to frightening stimuli such as horror films, snakes and spiders. They found that without a functioning amygdala, she is unable to experience fear. Previous studies have shown the amygdala plays a central role in generating fear reactions in animals but this study confirms for the first time that the amygdala is required for triggering fear in humans.

Previous studies with the patient in the study confirmed she could not recognize fear in facial expressions, but it was unknown until this study if she had the ability to experience fear herself. The findings of the study suggest that methods of safely and non-invasively dampening amygdala activity may help people with PTSD.