The findings, published in the journal Cell Reports, say that thanks to the CGRP molecule, neurons (brain cells) in two different parts of the brain can bring together signals related to threatening sounds, images and smells. Also, this signal is marked as negative and transmitted to the amygdala. This part of the brain is already converting the signal to fear.
Based on the results of previous studies, scientists from the Salk Institute suggested that CGRP transmits threat information from all senses to the amygdala. To test this, a team of experts conducted a series of experiments. Mice joined.
It turned out to be two groups of CGRP neurons. One in the thalamus and the other in the brain stem. As a result, two chains are formed. Both populations of neurons are designed to encode smells, sounds, images, tastes, dangerous touches and communicate with other parts of the brain. In addition, both of these populations are needed for a person to form memories that certain phenomena are dangerous to him.
Source: Ferra
