Authors : Harshita Sharma, Rakesh Pandit
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijn.13580.1760697262
Volume : 11
Issue : 3
Year : 2025
Page No : 116-124
Social Fear Learning (SFL), the mechanism through which people develop fear by watching others, is an important focus in life sciences, particularly for comprehending the origins of anxiety disorders and the passing of trauma across generations. This study explores the molecular foundations of SFL, emphasizing the identification of crucial brain areas and genes that play a role in this mechanism. An extensive examination of current literature indicated the participation of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, and insular cortex in SFL. In these areas, particular genes such as Lsamp, Hpcal4, Kif2a, Nsf, Ppid (found in the amygdala), and ADAR3 and CREBRF (located in the hippocampus) were identified, and their roles in forming fear memory, synaptic function, and processing emotions were studied. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were developed to clarify the molecular framework of these genes. The results emphasize the interrelated functions of particular brain areas and gene networks in influencing how beings perceive threats via social signals, providing a basis for upcoming molecular and behavioral studies in disorders linked to fear and anxiety. This research fills the gap in comprehending the molecular processes of SFL, opening possibilities for therapeutic strategies as Regenerative Medicine aimed at addressing dysfunctional social learning. Keywords: Social fear learning, Regenerative medicine, Fear conditioning, Vicarious fear learning, Social cognition.