@article{AsthanaBrunhuberMuehlbergeretal.2016,
  author    = {Asthana, Manish Kumar and Brunhuber, Bettina and M{\"u}hlberger, Andreas and Reif, Andreas and Schneider, Simone and Herrmann, Martin J.},
  title     = {Preventing the Return of Fear Using Reconsolidation Update Mechanisms Depends on the Met-Allele of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism},
  series = {International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology},
  volume    = {19},
  journal   = {International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology},
  number    = {6},
  doi       = {10.1093/ijnp/pyv137},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166217},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background: Memory reconsolidation is the direct effect of memory reactivation followed by stabilization of newly synthesized proteins. It has been well proven that neural encoding of both newly and reactivated memories requires synaptic plasticity. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been extensively investigated regarding its role in the formation of synaptic plasticity and in the alteration of fear memories. However, its role in fear reconsolidation is still unclear; hence, the current study has been designed to investigate the role of the BDNF val66met polymorphism (rs6265) in fear memory reconsolidation in humans. Methods: An auditory fear-conditioning paradigm was conducted, which comprised of three stages (acquisition, reactivation, and spontaneous recovery). One day after fear acquisition, the experimental group underwent reactivation of fear memory followed by the extinction training (reminder group), whereas the control group (non-reminder group) underwent only extinction training. On day 3, both groups were subjected to spontaneous recovery of earlier learned fearful memories. The treat-elicited defensive response due to conditioned threat was measured by assessing the skin conductance response to the conditioned stimulus. All participants were genotyped for rs6265. Results: The results indicate a diminishing effect of reminder on the persistence of fear memory only in the Met-allele carriers, suggesting a moderating effect of the BDNF polymorphism in fear memory reconsolidation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a new role for BDNF gene variation in fear memory reconsolidation in humans.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchieleReinhardReifetal.2016,
  author    = {Schiele, Miriam A. and Reinhard, Julia and Reif, Andreas and Domschke, Katharina and Romanos, Marcel and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Pauli, Paul},
  title     = {Developmental aspects of fear: Comparing the acquisition and generalization of conditioned fear in children and adults},
  series = {Developmental Psychobiology},
  volume    = {58},
  journal   = {Developmental Psychobiology},
  number    = {4},
  doi       = {10.1002/dev.21393},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189488},
  pages     = {471-481},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Most research on human fear conditioning and its generalization has focused on adults whereas only little is known about these processes in children. Direct comparisons between child and adult populations are needed to determine developmental risk markers of fear and anxiety. We compared 267 children and 285 adults in a differential fear conditioning paradigm and generalization test. Skin conductance responses (SCR) and ratings of valence and arousal were obtained to indicate fear learning. Both groups displayed robust and similar differential conditioning on subjective and physiological levels. However, children showed heightened fear generalization compared to adults as indexed by higher arousal ratings and SCR to the generalization stimuli. Results indicate overgeneralization of conditioned fear as a developmental correlate of fear learning. The developmental change from a shallow to a steeper generalization gradient is likely related to the maturation of brain structures that modulate efficient discrimination between danger and (ambiguous) safety cues.},
  language  = {en}
}