Integrative Physiology of Stress, Anxiety and Fear Memory: Intersections with Exercise, Metabolic Health, and Aging

The field of integrative physiology is increasingly uncovering the complex roles that stress, anxiety and fear memory play in shaping health beyond traditional neuropsychiatric boundaries. Traditionally, fear memory—how the brain learns, stores, and recalls threat-related experiences—has been central to understanding conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, converging evidence now suggests that maladaptive fear memory processing may also influence, and be influenced by, the metabolic dysregulation observed in diabetes as well as cognitive and emotional changes during aging. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of key physiological systems such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, autonomic function, inflammatory signaling, and neuroplasticity, in mediating these interactions. While progress has been made in detailing the roles of these systems, major questions remain on how fear memory mechanisms intersect and diverge across metabolic, psychiatric, and aging-related disorders.This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of the shared and unique physiological pathways linking stress, anxiety, and fear memory with metabolic disease and aging, and to identify modifiable factors, such as exercise, that can promote adaptive neuroplasticity and resilience. We seek to answer specific questions, including: How do physical activity and systemic metabolic health interact with neural circuits of anxiety and fear memory? What are the molecular and cellular mediators connecting metabolic dysfunction, aging, and anxiety-related pathology? Can interventions targeting neuroplasticity, exercise and metabolism effectively normalize fear memory processes across these conditions? By exploring these aims, we hope to promote the development of new translational strategies that leverage integrative approaches to improve mental and physical health.To gather further insights into these integrative links, but with a focus on mechanistic and intervention-based studies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Neurobiological circuits and molecular mediators of stress, anxiety, and fear memory across metabolic disease and agingo Modulatory effects of exercise and physical activity on stress, anxiety, and fear memory processingo Endocrine, metabolic, and neuroimmune interactions influencing maladaptive fear learning and memoryo Mechanisms by which diabetes and metabolic syndromes alter hippocampal and amygdala functiono Role of neuroplasticity and synaptic remodeling in age-related changes to anxiety and fear memoryo Novel therapeutic interventions, including metabolic modulation, exercise, neurotrophic factor enhancement, psychological non-pharmacologic therapies and neuromodulationo Artificial intelligence incorporating physiological parameters for personalized digital rehabilitation in clinical contexts o Translational and clinical research bridging preclinical findings to the treatment of stress and anxiety diseases, PTSD, diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction, and aging-related emotional disorders.Note: Guest Editor Dr. Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues received research funding from BIAL in 2018 and 2019. The funded projects are completed. Topic editors: Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues, Angela J Grippo Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76863/integrative-physiology-of-stress-anxiety-and-fear-memory-intersections-with-exercise-metabolic-health-and-aging