Characterizing the neural circuitry associated with configural threat learning.

ABSTRACT: Contextual threat learning is often associated with two processes: elemental and configural learning. Few studies have examined configural learning where subjects form a representation of the threat-related context as a gestalt whole from the individual features in the environment. The goal of the current study was to compare and contrast neural circuitry recruited by variation in demands placed on configural threat encoding. Subjects (N = 25) completed a configural threat learning task, where we manipulated the amount of configural encoding required to learn the threat association (low demand: changes to a discrete element of the context; and high demand: rearrangement of elements). US expectancy ratings, skin conductance responses (SCR), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) w

SUBMITTER: Stout DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7148156 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature