This process, by which certain pieces of information are selectively transmitted between different parts of the brain, often involves synchronization between the brain rhythms in these regions. The prefrontal cortex plays an essential role in this process, and can determine which information to pay attention to and which to ignore. It makes decisions based on signals from other parts of the brain, like the hippocampus, where anxiety neurons reside.

Sohals lab measured the synchronization between brain rhythms in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex during times when mice had to make decisions. Brain regions must collaborate to make these decisions explore that open field? Stay hidden?

Without synchronization, the brain would have a harder time deciding whats important, what to focus on. Sohals lab sees these kinds of problems with appropriately filtering information as important parts of schizophrenia, autism, and anxiety disorders.

But, Sohal reiterates that anxiety is essential. We have to have anxiety. Otherwise we would do things that are overly dangerous. Anxiety is a basic part of our existence, he says. But pathological situations arise when for whatever reason the brain doesnt seem to be able to tune anxiety properly, and so its avoid, avoid, avoid.

Aoife ODonovan said that in most cases the human brain is quite good at managing anxiety.

We can think in the abstract about multiple scenarios and outcomes and prepare ourselves for them before they even happen, she says. The problem is that imagining and predicting and preparing for bad outcomes can take a toll on us psychologically and biologically.

The problem is that imagining and predicting and preparing for bad outcomes can take a toll on us psychologically and biologically.

AOIFE ODONOVAN,PHD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY

ODonovans lab works with people with PTSD, who show exaggerated reactions to perceived threats. In these cases, our cognitive strength can be turned against us. Our bodies react to hypothetical threats as if they are right in front of us cue stress hormones and sweaty palms.

And that may be more commonplace now.

Because so many people worldwide are living in a state of anxiety at least partly due to the effects of the pandemic, social unrest, and climate change we might see more people showing these kinds of biased responses to new or preexisting potential threats, she says.

When a state of uncertainty drags on for months, our protective cognitive mechanisms can do more harm than good.

In the short-term, these responses prepare us for positive action and protect us against the potential for injury and infection that came with stressors in our evolutionary past. In the long-term, prolonged activation of the biological stress response can have toxic effects on the brain and the rest of the body, increasing risk for both psychiatric disorders and chronic physical diseases.

Theres no telling the future and, so far, no way to turn off our anxiety neurons, so how can we better cope with uncertainty? ODonovan suggests limiting exposure to the news and instead prioritizing behaviors that allow our anxious bodies to return to baseline. That means meditating, exercising, sleeping well, and nurturing social connections.

At the community level, this long-term uncertainty strains the relationships we need to maintain.

Social connection is key to making people feel safe, but our social relationships are also under strain due to social distancing and other factors. As much as possible, we need to use technology to maintain our social ties and take care of one another during these times, she said.

We may not be able to shed our current, collective uncertainty, but we can share the burden. Community, ODonovan says, has never been more important.

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The Science of What Uncertainty Can Mean for Your Mind, Body - ScienceBlog.com