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We know now what happens in our brain to make us scared of heights

Researchers have identified a brain circuit that causes mice to show signs of being afraid when high up, with a similar mechanism expected to also occur in people

By Moheb Costandi

10 June 2023

People standing on a glass floor at the Ostankino tower in Moscow, Russia

People standing on a glass floor at the Ostankino tower in Moscow, Russia

Nosyrevy/iStockphoto/Getty Images

A brain circuit that mediates a fear of heights has been identified in mice, a discovery that could help improve treatments in people with an extreme reaction to such situations.

A fear of heights, often accompanied by anxiety and dizziness, is thought to be an in-built physiological response that evolved to help prevent injuries from falling. But 3 per cent to 6 per cent of people have acrophobia, an intense version of this that can impact their …

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