Which part of the brain regulates fear?

[alexryan]

Hi all. I am not a student but am very interested in understanding how the brain works.
I have read some conflicting information about how regulation of fear is achieved from different sources and am hoping that someone here can set me straight.
One source claimed that the Anterior Cingulate Cortex was responsible for calming the amygdala.
Another claimed that it was the Neo-cortex.
Which is correct?

Thanks,
Alex

[StriatumPDM]

Hello Alex,

the cingulate cortex is part of the neocortex. So both is right.

Yours,
Björn

[Steffen]

I believe this is not quite right. The cingulate cortex is part of the cerebral cortex but not of the neocortex (which in turn is a part of the cerebral cortex). Nevertheless, both answers might be right, as the neocortex has a high connectivity with the cingulate cortex and thereby might calm down the amygdala VIA (USING) the cingulate cortex. For example, if you calm down your fear consciously, like saying to yourself "this is not as bad as it looks..." I'd definitely ascribe this to (frontal) neocortex via anterior cingulate cortex. However, I've no references for this, sorry...

[Mel]

Alex

sorry about my english. I think that fear is mainly regulated by the amygdala, a little structure  of the limbic system. The brain is a very complex structure and its acting is very complex too. For each behavior or emotion several structures and different pathways are actived...
You told that you aren't a student. Why do you wants to know about the brain?

[GlenThomas]

Human Brain is a main part of the body.Fear arises in the almond-shaped brain structure known as the amygdala.