Neurophysiology of Emotion Flashcards
The limbic system is now recognized to control, or be involved in controlling
emotional behavior
motivational drives
Anatomy of the limbic system - Hypothalamus
key player
emotional experience
physiological responses (connection to ANS)
Anatomy of the limbic system - Olfactory areas (para-olfactory)
olfaction and emotion strongly linked
parts of limbic system deal with olfaction (in addition to emotion)
Anatomy of the limbic system - Thalamus
anterior nucleus part of papez circuit
other regions involved in both input and output of limbic system
Anatomy of the limbic system - Basal Ganglia
particularly nucleus accumbens other regions (e.g. putamen) play a DIFFERENT role in emotion
Anatomy of the limbic system - Hippocampus
another part of the papez circuit
plays a role in learning/memory
Memory and emotion are strongly linked
Anatomy of the limbic system - Amybdala
association with emotion recognized very early
particularly fear
plays a role in learning and memory
Anatomy of the limbic system - Cingulate cortex
mostly paleocortex (3 cell layers) some parts have full 6 layers important feature - many of these neurons show after discharge (like when you are mad and can't let it go)
7 brain regions and their function in emotion
- hypothalamus - used to create physiologic response to emotion
- olfacctory cortex - odors as stong stimulus for emotion
- Thalamus - relays sensory information inot system
- Basal Ganglia - tied to pleasure, disgust
- Hippocampus - links emotion to memory creation
- Amygdala - strongly linked with fear, was considered core of all emotional responses
- anterior cingulate cortex - higher level control, sadness
more recent research has provided evidence for the idea that certain :basic: emotions are common across cultures? species (6) and controlled by _____
separate neural substrates
- pleasure
- fear
- sadness
- avoidance
- disgust
- anger
It appears that the neural circuits for _________ are also involved in producing _______ in ourselves
regognizing emotion in others
that emotion
Someone who cannot experience an emotion cannot
recognize it in someone else
Mirror neuron system
these neurons fire both when you do something (smile) and when you see someone else do that.
their role in imitation and imitative learning are more clear cut, but it is becoming clearer that they are important in emotional processing
The core of the reward/pleasure system
Ventral tegmental area
nucleus accumbens
Major input to the pleasure/reward system sends
DOPAMINE to target neurons
very closely related to the SNPc
The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3)
pre-frontal cortex
lateral hypothalamus
laterodorsal tegmental N.
The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3) places - what are the NT they use
Pre frontal cortex - EAA
lateral hypothalamus - orexin
laterodorsal tegmental N - Ach
The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3) places - what are the NT they use
Pre frontal cortex - EAA
lateral hypothalamus - orexin
laterodorsal tegmental N - Ach
The ventral segmental area provides a ______ input to the ________ via the _______
dopaminergic
nucleus accumbens
median forebrain bundle
The nucleus accumbens
the third nucleus in the striatum
often referred to as the ventral striatum
has the same basic micro-circutry as the others
direct and indirect pathways
In addition to dopaminergic VTA input, the NAc also receives excitatory inputs from (3).
These inputs appear to use what NT?
prefrontal cortex
amygdala
hippocampus
EAA
Output from NAc is to
NAc use what NT here
the prefrontal cortex
GABA
NAc also sends a GABAergic input where
BACK to the VTA
the cotransmitter dynorphin is also released in the VTA
The pleasure/reward systems receive inputs from multiple_____
opioid pathways
particular importance of opioid inputs to the VTA
opioid inputs to the VTA inhibit a subset of GABAergic interneurons.
This INCREASES the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens
Describe the reward (pleasure) system and how the 3 nuclei participate in producing pleasure
- VTA - receives inputs and releases dopamine in NA to lead to feeling of pleasure
- NAc - part of striatum - D1 activate direct; D3 inhibit indirect pathways. When active, GABA is released to produce pleasure
- prefrontal cortex - receives input allowing pleasure from NAc
The input to the NAc is mediated by ________, it;s effect in the NAc is generally _____
Dopamine
inhibitory
VTA releases ______ onto ______, which then releases less _______ to the ______= PLEASURE
dopamine
NAc (inhibitory)
GABA
prefrontal cortex
The effect of dopamine release is to _________ in the prefrontal cortex and allow _______
decrease GABA releas
activity of the reward pathways
The effect of dopamine release is to _________ in the prefrontal cortex and allow _______
decrease GABA releas
activity of the reward pathways