Making translation work: Harmonizing cross-species methodology in the behavioural neuroscience of Pavlovian fear conditioning

Abstract

Translational neuroscience bridges insights from specific mechanisms in rodents to complex functions in humans and is key to advance our general understanding of central nervous function. A prime example of translational research is the study of cross-species mechanisms that underlie responding to learned threats, by employing Pavlovian fear conditioning protocols in rodents and humans. Hitherto, evidence for (and critique of) these cross-species comparisons in fear conditioning research was based on theoretical viewpoints. Here, we provide a perspective to substantiate these theoretical concepts with empirical considerations of cross-species methodology. This meta-research perspective is expected to foster cross-species comparability and reproducibility to ultimately facilitate successful transfer of results from basic science into clinical applications.

Keywords: Associative learning; FPS; Fear conditioning; Fear extinction; Heat-rate; Human; Individual differences; Meta-research; Methods; Paradigm; Rodent; SCR; Startle; Translation; Treezing.

Figure 1:

Schematic illustration depicting key elements within an exemplified cued fear conditioning protocol in rodents (left) and humans (right). CS=conditioned stimulus, US=unconditioned stimulus

Figure 2:

Schematic illustration of outcome measures in (a) freely moving animals (left), restrained animals (right), (b) humans in sitting positions (left) and on a stabilometric platform (right). R=reference electrode