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Comment by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB on December 17, 2010 at 5:03pm

No Fear Felt By Woman Without Functioning Amygdala

The amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the brain, needs to be functioning properly for us to feel fear, otherwise we become unafraid and possibly reckless, researchers from the University of Iowa wrote in Current Biology. The authors add that their findings could have a significant impact on future treatments for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other anxietyconditions.

In the article, the scientists described a female adult patient who had an extremely uncommon condition in which her amygdala was destroyed. They found the patient was not able to experience fear, even after being placed in a haunted house, having snakes and spiders placed near her, watching horror films, and talking about life-threatening situations. The reason for her lack of fear was that her amygdala did not function.

Previous animal studies have demonstrated the key role the amygdala plays in triggering fear reactions, but this study is the first to show that it is also the case in humans, the authors wrote. The patient, in previous studies, had demonstrated an inability to recognize fear in people's faces, but those studies, unlike this one, did not focus on whether she could experience/feel fear herself.

Senior study author, Daniel Tranel, Ph.D., believes their findings may impact on how health care professionals treat patients with some anxiety disorders and PTSD. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that over 7.7 million individuals are affected with PTSD in the USA. A Rand Corporation study predicted that approximately 300,000 military personnel would return from combat in Iraq/Afghanistan with PTSD.

Tranel said:

"This finding points us to a specific brain area that might underlie PTSD. Psychotherapy and medications are the current treatment options for PTSD and could be refined and further developed with the aim of targeting the amygdala."

Lead study author, Justin Feinstein, believes that safe and non-invasive ways of diminishing amygdala activity might prove effective in treating PTSD patients.

Feinstein said:

"This past year, I've been treating veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from PTSD. Their lives are marred by fear, and they are oftentimes unable to even leave their home due to the ever-present feeling of danger. In striking contrast, the patient in this study is immune to these states of fear and shows no symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The horrors of life are unable to penetrate her emotional core. In essence, traumatic events leave no emotional imprint on her brain."

Apparently, the patient has lived through several traumatic, life-threatening events during her life without batting an eyelid.

Feinstein said:

"Taken together, these findings suggest that the human amygdala is a pivotal area of the brain for triggering a state of fear. While the patient is able to experience other emotions, such as happiness and sadness, she is unable to feel fear. This suggests that the brain is organized in such a way that a specific brain region - the amygdala - is specialized for processing a specific emotion - fear."

The investigators were surprised at her reaction to snakes and spiders, because she had told them she hated those creatures and usually tried to avoid them. However, when they took her to a pet shop she immediately started touching them, saying that curiosity got the better of her.

Feinstein said:

"Without our amygdala, the alarm in our brain that pushes us to avoid danger is missing. The patient approaches the very things she should be avoiding, yet, strikingly, appears to be totally aware of the fact that she should be avoiding these things. It is quite remarkable that she is still alive."

Written by Christian Nordqvist

 

Posted by Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, http://www.arianainstitute.com/online.htm

 

 

Comment by Christopher A. Moyer on October 20, 2010 at 9:30am

The rubber hand illusion is fascinating.

Unfortunately, it looks like that video may not play for us over here in the States, Stephen. Here is a different video illustrating the illusion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCQbygjG0RU

As for getting the mind to 'let go' of the pain, it may be necessary to trick the mind under certain circumstances. That is, it may not let go of the pain, even when there is no anatomical place for the pain to be! See this interesting video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl2LwnaUA-k

Comment by Stephen Jeffrey on October 20, 2010 at 9:20am

If the mind can "addopt" a rubber hand then how easily does the mind disengage our senses when dealing with pain ???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bmcy3

Comment by Sue Heldenbrand on September 19, 2010 at 6:06pm

CE classes for La. Massage Therapists, approved provider. Energetic Trauma Release Workshop, 6 hours

This class is designed to increase your knowledge regarding working compassionately and effectively with the effects of trauma/chronic stress in your practice. Learn how secondary trauma affects those dealing with trauma and abuse with others. Learn how our limbic brain encodes messages from stress and trauma.

Learn about “triggers” that affect a person after the event or trauma is over and how to release them, replacing fear motivated behavior with a sense of calm.

When someone experiences emotional or physical trauma, illness, chronic stress, surgery, suppressed or negative feelings, this causes “energy blocks” in the body, affecting our health and well being.

Oct.9, Nov.6, Dec.11, Jan.22., Lafayette, La. contact Sue @ 337 232-4799 for more information or email energyworker2003@yahoo.com; $125 investment or $195 with Mind, Body Self Care Strategies. 6 hours

Mind, body self care strategies: 6 hours, Oct.16, Nov.7, Dec.12, Jan. 23-$125 investment or $195 if taken with Energetic Trauma Release, Lafayette, La.
As caregivers we tend to take care of others,but it's important that we learn how to relax, what our stressors are and take care of ourself. In this class, we will learn relaxation techniques, mind, body spirit assessment, meditation, and many more ways to avoid burnout.
www.SynergisticCenter.com

Comment by Jason Erickson on September 8, 2010 at 2:34am

@ Laurie - Aaron Mattes of Active Isolated Stretching has been working with Parkinson's for years. I've seen dramatic changes in his clients after just a few sessions. I have learned some of the methods he uses with these folks, but haven't had much opportunity to practice them myself. You may want to contact Aaron at info@stretchingusa.com for info. If you can get to one of his seminars, I highly recommend it!

Comment by Laurie Owen on July 9, 2010 at 2:51pm

Any insights into where I can find research about Parkinson's and various types of bodywork? The specific question I'm asking is whether it's more effective to do bodywork during the "on" cycle or "off" cycle, but any research that's out there that you're aware of would be helpful. thank you.

Comment by Christopher A. Moyer on October 18, 2009 at 2:55pm

I'm interested in neuroscience and psychophysiology as they apply to massage therapy and massage therapy research. I have begun incorporating these into my own research during the last two years.

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