Study finds area of brain linked to fear of uncertainty

No one knows what the future holds, but many people are unable to cope with the uncertainty. However, researchers have discovered that the fear of the unknown may be linked to an unusual enlargement of a brain region that is responsible for decision making and motor control. The team believes the findings could help specialists predict those at risk of developing anxiety disorder or OCD later in life, allowing intervention to occur before symptoms arise. Researchers at Dartmouth College conducted MRI scans on 61 students following a survey that measured their ability to tolerate the uncertainty of future negative events. The team analyzed the scans and compared them with the intolerance of uncertainty scores, which showed the size of the striatum was linked with intolerance of uncertainty.