Dopamine, uncertainty, and fear generalization

Dopamine producing neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are an important modulator of fear-related behavior and aversive motivations. Increasing evidence suggests that disruption of the mesolimbic dopamine system contributes to fear generalization. The neural substrates of fear generalization and the mechanism(s) by which dopamine modulates the formation and updating of these aberrant engrams are only beginning to be resolved. The purpose of this review is to highlight key findings in the study of dopamine and fear processing and to provide a model of fear generalization based on a stress-induced impairment in learning that results in uncertainty in threat prediction.