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
Producing pleasure - activation
- via EAA to VTA
- via orexin to VTA
- prefrontal cortex, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus
2. lateral hypothalamic nucleus
‘Preventing pleasure’ - Activation of NAc
via increased EAA to NAc
prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus
Producing pleasure - the opiods
increased opiods come from multiple sources and work as a diffuse system to increase pleasure (work on VTA and NAc)
Opiod input system also activates
locus ceruleus
periaqueductal grey
What is the point?
to reinforce the occurrence of certain behaviors that are important for our survival (like eating)
The pleasure/reward system is basically a ________ system
positive feedback
Reward/pleasure system - dopamine
released by VTA neurons who’s axons terminate in the NAc
Binds to D1, D2, D3 receptors,
D2 or D3 inhibitory, predominate
Reward/pleasure system - GABA
released by NAc neurons whose axons terminate in the prefrontal cortex
also fibers terminating in VTA from NAc or interneruons within VTA
Reward/pleasure system - the opiods
major action - inhibit GABA interneuron in VTA –> VTA releases more dopamine in NA –> intense feeling of pleasure (euphoria)
To produce pleasure VTA Nac GABA experience
activate VTA
inhibit the NAc
less GABA in the prefrontal cortex
experience pleasure
To inhibit pleasure VTA NAc GABA experience
-
activate the NAc
more GABA in the prefrontal cortex
prevent pleasure
Two kinds of fear
Innate (unconditioned)
learned (conditioned)
Innate (unconditioned) fear
fear that requires no experience
in animals, associated with olfactory cues
Humans - debated, falling and loud noises most frequently cited
Learned (conditioned) fear
learned fom experience
in humans, the experience can be indirect (watching someone else experience a frightening thing)
Learned (conditioned) fear
learned fom experience
in humans, the experience can be indirect (watching someone else experience a frightening thing)
Neuroanatomical basis for fear - amygdala
processing and recognition of social clues related to fear
emotional conditioning in response to fear
memory
Neuroanatomical basis for fear - inputs
inputs (both the thalamic and via the cortex) arrive at the lateral nucleus of the amygdala
The lateral nucleus of the amygdala does what?
integrates the inputs (i.e.. the pairing of sound and an electrical shock)
The paired information is sent from the lateral nucleus of the amygdala to where?
to the basal and intercalated nuclei for additional processing
information about fear from the lateral, basal and intercalated nuclei is sent to___________ which decides________. The ______ is an important component of generating the physiologic responses
the central nucleus of the amygdala
what responses are required and relays information appropriately
hypothalamus
In the individual with damage to the amygdala, fear is
not perceived, therefore conditioning related to fear does not occur
Neuroanatomical basis for Sadness - anatomical substrate
lower sector of the anterior cingulate cortex
strongly activated when recalling sad events
Neuroanatomical basis for Avoidance - anatomical substrate
lateral posterior hypothalamus
dorsal midbrain
entorhinal cortex
Although we don;t understand the system particularly well, the punishment/avoidace system is designed to oppose the occurrence of behavior. Describe long term and short term
in the long term, behavior usually has negative consequences, but the short term may be neutral or positive
Neuroanatomical basis for disgust - anatomical substrate
insular cortex/putame
processing and recognition of social cues related to disgust
damage (including huntington’s disease) abolishes
Neuroanatomical basis for Anger/rage
amygdala
requires dopaminergicc input acting at D2 receptors
inhibition of anger/rage requires
neocortex
ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei
septal nuclei
Pleasure
VTA, NA - dopamine. positive feedback system to encourage behavior
Anger
involves amygdala and dopaminergic D2 receptor activation
Fear
inputs from thalamus and cortex come into lateral n of amygdala, pressed and sent to basal and intercalated n. , outflow from amygdala via central n. to various places for physiologic consequence
Disgust
putamen and insular cortex is strongly involved (loss of ability to recognize in Huntingtons dz)
Sadness
lower pole of anterior cingulate cortex
Integrating the inputs Step 1 - the anterior cingulate Cx
functionally divided into 2 regions
Ventral= affective dorsal = cognitive
Integrating the inputs Step 1 - the anterior cingulate Cx
Role in emotion
integration of visceral, attentional and emotional input
Regulation of AFFECT - particularly top-down control (controlling our emotions)
Monitors or detects conflict between our function al state (right now) and new information that has potential or motivational consequences.
It does;t decide what to do, but relays the information to…. the prefrontal cx
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
Two divisions
ventromedial
dorsolateral
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
ventromedial division
receives input from
amygdala, hippocampus, temporal visual association area, dorsolateral prefrontal cx (the other division)
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
ventromedial division
receives input from
amygdala, hippocampus, temporal visual association area, dorsolateral prefrontal cx (the other division)
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
dorsolateral division
receives input from
motor areas, including basal ganglia, pre and supplementary motor cortex
cingulate cortex, especially parts related to performance monitoring
several cortical association areas
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
division we are interested in?
Ventromedial division
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
Three roles
Reward processing
integration of bodily signals
top down regulation
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
reward processing
(orbitofrontal) - with the amygdala, we link new stimulus to a primary reward
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
integration of bodily signals
(ventromedial prefrontal) - the “gut feeling” decision when logical analysis is unable to help
Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx
top down regulation
especially towards delayed gratification
Role of anterior cingulate cx - summary
ventral region
integration of all sensory and emotional processing
controlling emotional display
conflict detection - what new information has the power to change how i;m feeling
Role of prefrontal cortex - summary
ventromedial subdivision
reward processing
gut-feeling
delayed gratification
