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This small nucleus contains almost half of all the brain neurons that use norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter. The locus coeruleus also projects its axons to those parts of the brain that may be associated with panic disorders (the amygdala, hippocampus, septum, cortex, brainstem, reticular formation, etc). Stimulating an animal's locus coeruleus, like stimulating its amygdala, produces anxiety behaviours.
Scientists have recently discovered keys to the neural mechanisms behind the brainâs response to fear, including its extinction, which may help improve treatments for anxiety disorders and other neuropsychiatric conditions.The amygdala is essential for decoding emotions, particularly threatening stimuli.Anxiety is a psychological response to perceived danger.â. Fear is generated by a specific stimulus. Seeing a snake in the grass, for example, can trigger a fear response. Anxiety, which is not necessarily tied to a specific stimulus, is a feeling of being at risk, but from no imminent danger.