Lecture 17 - Brain mechanisms of emotion I

Question 1

(lecture):

Describe the case study of S.M.

Answer 1

(lecture):

See blue writing on page 1+6 of G doc notes.

Question 2

(lecture):

Describe the role of the limbic system in processing emotions.

Answer 2

(lecture):

See red writing on page 2 of G doc notes.

Question 3

(lecture):

Describe the anatomy of the amygdala.

Answer 3

(lecture):

See purple writing on page 3 of G doc notes.

Question 4

(lecture):

Describe the role of the amygdala in emotion processing.

Answer 4

(lecture):

See purple writing on page 3-6 of G doc notes.

Question 5

(lecture):

In Lecture 17, we begin with a discussion of a case study where the patient had a specific impairment in the recognition of fear faces. We use this as a springboard to discuss brain systems for the processing of emotions. We cover previous conceptions of emotion processing in the brain, e.g. ‘limbic system theory’, and discuss whether evidence supports the notion that there is one specific circuit for the processing of emotion in the brain. Using fear as an example, we discuss several studies highlighting the role of the amygdala in fear processing specifically, as well as the amygdala’s role in more general emotion processing, e.g. emotional learning, emotional memory and wider emotion processing. We finish by returning to our case study and highlighting alternative interpretations on the amygdala’s role in processing fear facial expressions.

Lecture summary:
Case study S.M.
> Bilateral degeneration of amygdala
The limbic system
> Papez circuit; one system for emotion?
Amygdala
> Klüver-Bucy syndrome
Fear conditioning
Fear pathways
> Cortical and subcortical pathways to amygdala
Emotional learning and memory
> Learning and storing conditioned fear response
> Consolidation of long-term emotional memories
Wider role for amygdala in emotion processing
> Emotional intensity; individual differences

Answer 5

(lecture):