The normal response to threat
- Increased arousal and vigilence
- Cognitive appraisal of threat and planning of response
- Increased autonomic activity
- Increased cortisol output from the adrenal glands
The amygdala plays a central role in mobilising these responses:
- Learnt response state (the limbic system)
- Amygdala is involved in response to fearful situations in humans and animals
- The medial prefrontal cortex plays a role in reducing the fear response brought on by the amygdala.
Neurobiological theory of anxiety
Aberrant overactivity in the amygdala may be important in anxiety disorders, as might a functional disconnection between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex (impaired fear extinction) so causing a pathological anxiety.
Notes on Medicine/Surgery 