Anatomy of Anxiety and Stress

Question 1

Thalamus

Answer 1

threat assessment

direct connection to amygdala –> fast emergency response

Question 2

Prefrontal cortex

Answer 2

incorporates emotional info in decisions

Question 3

Locus Coeruleus

Answer 3

works w amygdala in alertness to stimuli
nuclei in brainstem whose noradrenergic nuclei innervated extensively
locus coeruleus –> hippocampus –> amygdala

Question 4

Noradrenergic Nuclei

Answer 4

(locus coeruleus)
arousal
autonomic activity –> rapid heart beat, sweating, pupil dilation in response to threat/fear

Question 5

Hippocampus

Answer 5

combines sensory info w/ emotional responses to store in memory for future
locus coeruleus –> hippocampus –> amygdala

Question 6

Amygdala

Answer 6

emotional center
activates defensive responses
- Basolateral complex
- Medial nucleus
- Central nucleus

Question 7

Basolateral complex

Answer 7

(amygdala)

receives info from thalamus –> projects to central nuclei

Question 8

Medial Nucleus

Answer 8

(amygdala)

connected w/ olfactory system

Question 9

Central nucleus

Answer 9

(amygdala)

communicates w/ brainstem, hypothalamus, basal forebrain –> connects w/ periaqueductal gray –> emotional response

Question 10

Urbach-Wiethe disease

Answer 10

calcification of amydala –> no fear

Question 11

Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis (BNST)

Answer 11

processor of uncertain threat –> hub of anxious feelings

Question 12

NMDA receptors

Answer 12

fear extinction mediation

ie activation of receptors diminish fear

Question 13

PTSD

Answer 13

too much excitatory stimuli to thalamus

Question 14

Generalised anxiety disorder

Answer 14

larger amygdala –> processes more fear and stronger response

Question 15

Panic disorders

Answer 15

less GABA in amygdala