Animals have sophisticated mechanisms for coping with danger. Freezing is a unique state
that, upon threat detection, allows evidence to be gathered, response possibilities to be …

Previous attempts to identify a unified theory of brain serotonin function have largely failed to
achieve consensus. In this present synthesis, we integrate previous perspectives with new …

Apathy and anhedonia are common syndromes of motivation that are associated with a wide
range of brain disorders and have no established therapies. Research using animal models …

The multimodal properties of the human somatosensory system continue to be unravelled.
There is mounting evidence that one of these submodalities—touch—has another …

This paper introduces a new construct, the 'pivotal mental state', which is defined as a hyper-
plastic state aiding rapid and deep learning that can mediate psychological transformation …

In many circumstances alternative courses of action and thoughts have to be inhibited to
allow the emergence of goal-directed behavior. However, this has not been the accepted …

Objective: Biomarkers are defined as anatomical, biochemical or physiological traits that are
specific to certain disorders or syndromes. The objective of this paper is to summarise the …

We propose a Survival Optimization System (SOS) to account for the strategies that humans
and other animals use to defend against recurring and novel threats. The SOS attempts to …

Successful goal-directed behavior requires not only correct action selection, planning, and
execution but also the ability to flexibly adapt behavior when performance problems occur or …

Avoidance is a key characteristic of adaptive and maladaptive fear. Here, we review past
and contemporary theories of avoidance learning. Based on the theories, experimental …