The Hypocretin/Orexin System and Fear Learning

An understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of fear is essential for the development of new treatments for anxiety disorders, such as phobias, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Orexins, also known as hypocretins, are neuropeptides located exclusively in hypothalamic neurons initially involved in the regulation of feeding behavior. Recent studies suggest that these neuropeptides are also key regulators of aversive memory. These findings underline the potential of orexin receptor antagonists as promising opportunities for treating diseases characterized by abnormal fear persistence.