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Anxiety Research

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the heart rate goes up and breathing patterns can change, and we've all been through it.

The so-called 'fight or flight' response is a sympathetic response and it causes the release of epinephrine throughout the body. Scientists are studying what happens in the brain using an MRI to see which parts are affecting which tissues. The brain can actually control the response if the danger is perceived as real or imaginary.

Why is it important? Because identifying the parts of the human brain that respond could help uncover the problems in people with anxiety disorders using MRIs to track the blood flow to different areas in the brain.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor

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