I just read today… in Science Daily … that neurobiology of dread gives scientists clues about human decision making .... 
Neuroscientists ...led by Gregory Berns, MD, PhD... used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify areas of the brain that activate when a person experiences dread. Research in the growing field of neuroeconomics, uses neuroscience methods to address economic questions.
Dr. Burns put it this way:
"Most people don't like waiting for an unpleasant outcome, and want to get it over with as soon as possible. The only explanation for this is that the dread of having something hanging over your head is worse than the thing that you are dreading. It is a commonplace experience, but standard economic models of decision-making don't deal with this issue. So, we decided to take a biological approach and see what happens in the brain that might cause people to make such rash decisions."
Brain activity related to dread was seen mostly in areas of the brain associated with pain. Interestingly dread was found in different parts of the pain network …one linked to attention. This location suggests that dread is not the same as fear or anxiety, both emotions which are controlled by different brain regions.
Researchers also found that dread can be diminished by diverting attention. Hmmmm…what was I dreading today that a good golf game could mitigate…? You?
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