Individual differences in fear extinction learning and the endocannabinoid system

Nadia Leen

Research output: ThesisDoctoral thesis 1 (Research UU / Graduation UU)

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Abstract

Anxiety, trauma and stressor-related disorders are the most common mental disorders
in the world. The likelihood of developing these disorders is higher in occupations where
there is an increased likelihood of exposure to stressful and traumatic situations, such
as in the military. More insight into the development and treatment of these disorders
is of great importance because current psychological and pharmacological treatments
are insufficient for 40% of patients.
This thesis investigates two important systems that can provide more insight into the
development and treatment of anxiety, trauma and stressor-related disorders. First, individual
differences in fear learning and the use of these differences in association with
treatment outcome. Second, the role of the endocannabinoid system in these disorders.
The studies in this thesis show that different fear learning classes can be distinguished
using a fear conditioning task. The classes of ‘generalizing’ and ‘poor fear extinction’
were found but were not associated with treatment outcome. In the second part, it was
found that compounds that enhances the endocannabinoid system may alleviate anxiety
symptoms. There was also evidence of associations between endogenous cannabinoid
and anxiety symptoms.
This research contributes to translating more fundamental research into applicability in
clinical practice in the development and treatment of anxiety, trauma and stressor-related
disorders. This may contribute to the prevention and better treatment of these
disorders.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Geuze, Elbert, Primary supervisor
  • Baas, J.M.P., Supervisor, External person
  • de Weijer, Antoin, Co-supervisor
Award date19 Mar 2024
Place of PublicationUtrecht
Publisher
Print ISBNs978-94-6473-340-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Mar 2024

Keywords

  • fear conditioning
  • fear extinction
  • individual differences
  • endocannabinoid system
  • cannabinoid
  • anandamide
  • 2-AG
  • FAAH
  • anxiety
  • stress
  • trauma

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