Amygdalostriatal Zone Sustains Fear

Researchers identified a tiny brain region next to the amygdala in mice—the amygdalostriatal transition zone (ASt)—whose neurons fire with prolonged power after an initial threat and connect to the striatum that controls sustained defensive behavior. Unlike the amygdala’s brief onset signal, the ASt appears to hold animals in a prolonged state of fear, which may explain why anxiety and panic can persist after threats subside. — If confirmed in humans, this mechanism reframes how clinicians and policymakers think about persistent fear (PTSD, panic) and where to target treatments or public‑health interventions.