Scientists say an "unexpected" discovery about the way the brain handles terrifying experiences could lead to new treatments for traumatic stress and anxiety.
The findings link human anxiety to a brain process normally found in insects and other invertebrate creatures.
Scientists began studying these processes, known as "gap junctions", and developed the theory that they could be embedding bad memories.
The researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA, say laboratory studies involving rats suggest this is true.
They say they have tested drugs which have successfully prevented the forming of memories of fearful incidents.
Researcher Professor Michael Fanselow said because gap junctions are rare in mammals, their role in learning, memory and emotion had not previously been studied in humans.
He said: "The brain has many processes we have not yet explored. Understanding them and how they normally work can open up new approaches that may help in very prevalent and debilitating diseases, such as anxiety disorders and memory disorders."
He added: "Perhaps if we had a way of enhancing gap junction function, we may improve memory formation by facilitating gap junctions when memory is impaired by diseases such as Alzheimer’s. However, we have not shown this yet."
Professor Fanselow explains: "Our research shows a way that neurons can coordinate their activity, and this coordination is critical for memory formation,"
"I was completely surprised by this discovery. I really thought we were taking a long shot and was surprised that gap junctions were not only playing a role but that their importance was so great.
"The formation of fear memories is the major cause of anxiety disorders. These disorders are very common and can be very debilitating.
"Gap junctions appear to be key in coordinating the activity of the network of neurons that produce fear memories, specifically, and probably other memories, generally, as well."
Science January 7 2011
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