Neurophysiology of Emotion Flashcards

1
Q

The limbic system is now recognized to control, or be involved in controlling

A

emotional behavior

motivational drives

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2
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Hypothalamus

A

key player
emotional experience
physiological responses (connection to ANS)

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3
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Olfactory areas (para-olfactory)

A

olfaction and emotion strongly linked

parts of limbic system deal with olfaction (in addition to emotion)

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4
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Thalamus

A

anterior nucleus part of papez circuit

other regions involved in both input and output of limbic system

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5
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Basal Ganglia

A
particularly nucleus accumbens
other regions (e.g. putamen) play a DIFFERENT role in emotion
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6
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Hippocampus

A

another part of the papez circuit
plays a role in learning/memory
Memory and emotion are strongly linked

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7
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Amybdala

A

association with emotion recognized very early
particularly fear
plays a role in learning and memory

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8
Q

Anatomy of the limbic system - Cingulate cortex

A
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)
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9
Q

7 brain regions and their function in emotion

A
  1. hypothalamus - used to create physiologic response to emotion
  2. olfacctory cortex - odors as stong stimulus for emotion
  3. Thalamus - relays sensory information inot system
  4. Basal Ganglia - tied to pleasure, disgust
  5. Hippocampus - links emotion to memory creation
  6. Amygdala - strongly linked with fear, was considered core of all emotional responses
  7. anterior cingulate cortex - higher level control, sadness
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10
Q

more recent research has provided evidence for the idea that certain :basic: emotions are common across cultures? species (6) and controlled by _____

A

separate neural substrates

  1. pleasure
  2. fear
  3. sadness
  4. avoidance
  5. disgust
  6. anger
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11
Q

It appears that the neural circuits for _________ are also involved in producing _______ in ourselves

A

regognizing emotion in others

that emotion

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12
Q

Someone who cannot experience an emotion cannot

A

recognize it in someone else

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13
Q

Mirror neuron system

A

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

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14
Q

The core of the reward/pleasure system

A

Ventral tegmental area

nucleus accumbens

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15
Q

Major input to the pleasure/reward system sends

A

DOPAMINE to target neurons

very closely related to the SNPc

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16
Q

The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3)

A

pre-frontal cortex
lateral hypothalamus
laterodorsal tegmental N.

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17
Q

The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3) places - what are the NT they use

A

Pre frontal cortex - EAA
lateral hypothalamus - orexin
laterodorsal tegmental N - Ach

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18
Q

The ventral segmental area receives excitatory input from (3) places - what are the NT they use

A

Pre frontal cortex - EAA
lateral hypothalamus - orexin
laterodorsal tegmental N - Ach

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19
Q

The ventral segmental area provides a ______ input to the ________ via the _______

A

dopaminergic
nucleus accumbens
median forebrain bundle

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20
Q

The nucleus accumbens

A

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

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21
Q

In addition to dopaminergic VTA input, the NAc also receives excitatory inputs from (3).
These inputs appear to use what NT?

A

prefrontal cortex
amygdala
hippocampus

EAA

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22
Q

Output from NAc is to

NAc use what NT here

A

the prefrontal cortex

GABA

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23
Q

NAc also sends a GABAergic input where

A

BACK to the VTA

the cotransmitter dynorphin is also released in the VTA

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24
Q

The pleasure/reward systems receive inputs from multiple_____

A

opioid pathways

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25
Q

particular importance of opioid inputs to the VTA

A

opioid inputs to the VTA inhibit a subset of GABAergic interneurons.

This INCREASES the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens

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26
Q

Describe the reward (pleasure) system and how the 3 nuclei participate in producing pleasure

A
  1. VTA - receives inputs and releases dopamine in NA to lead to feeling of pleasure
  2. NAc - part of striatum - D1 activate direct; D3 inhibit indirect pathways. When active, GABA is released to produce pleasure
  3. prefrontal cortex - receives input allowing pleasure from NAc
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27
Q

The input to the NAc is mediated by ________, it;s effect in the NAc is generally _____

A

Dopamine

inhibitory

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28
Q

VTA releases ______ onto ______, which then releases less _______ to the ______= PLEASURE

A

dopamine
NAc (inhibitory)
GABA
prefrontal cortex

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29
Q

The effect of dopamine release is to _________ in the prefrontal cortex and allow _______

A

decrease GABA releas

activity of the reward pathways

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30
Q

The effect of dopamine release is to _________ in the prefrontal cortex and allow _______

A

decrease GABA releas

activity of the reward pathways

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31
Q

Producing pleasure - activation

  1. via EAA to VTA
  2. via orexin to VTA
A
  1. prefrontal cortex, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus

2. lateral hypothalamic nucleus

32
Q

‘Preventing pleasure’ - Activation of NAc

via increased EAA to NAc

A

prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus

33
Q

Producing pleasure - the opiods

A

increased opiods come from multiple sources and work as a diffuse system to increase pleasure (work on VTA and NAc)

34
Q

Opiod input system also activates

A

locus ceruleus

periaqueductal grey

35
Q

What is the point?

A

to reinforce the occurrence of certain behaviors that are important for our survival (like eating)

36
Q

The pleasure/reward system is basically a ________ system

A

positive feedback

37
Q

Reward/pleasure system - dopamine

A

released by VTA neurons who’s axons terminate in the NAc
Binds to D1, D2, D3 receptors,
D2 or D3 inhibitory, predominate

38
Q

Reward/pleasure system - GABA

A

released by NAc neurons whose axons terminate in the prefrontal cortex
also fibers terminating in VTA from NAc or interneruons within VTA

39
Q

Reward/pleasure system - the opiods

A

major action - inhibit GABA interneuron in VTA –> VTA releases more dopamine in NA –> intense feeling of pleasure (euphoria)

40
Q
To produce pleasure
VTA
Nac
GABA
experience
A

activate VTA
inhibit the NAc
less GABA in the prefrontal cortex
experience pleasure

41
Q
To inhibit pleasure
VTA
NAc
GABA
experience
A

-
activate the NAc
more GABA in the prefrontal cortex
prevent pleasure

42
Q

Two kinds of fear

A

Innate (unconditioned)

learned (conditioned)

43
Q

Innate (unconditioned) fear

A

fear that requires no experience
in animals, associated with olfactory cues
Humans - debated, falling and loud noises most frequently cited

44
Q

Learned (conditioned) fear

A

learned fom experience

in humans, the experience can be indirect (watching someone else experience a frightening thing)

45
Q

Learned (conditioned) fear

A

learned fom experience

in humans, the experience can be indirect (watching someone else experience a frightening thing)

46
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for fear - amygdala

A

processing and recognition of social clues related to fear
emotional conditioning in response to fear
memory

47
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for fear - inputs

A

inputs (both the thalamic and via the cortex) arrive at the lateral nucleus of the amygdala

48
Q

The lateral nucleus of the amygdala does what?

A

integrates the inputs (i.e.. the pairing of sound and an electrical shock)

49
Q

The paired information is sent from the lateral nucleus of the amygdala to where?

A

to the basal and intercalated nuclei for additional processing

50
Q

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

A

the central nucleus of the amygdala
what responses are required and relays information appropriately
hypothalamus

51
Q

In the individual with damage to the amygdala, fear is

A

not perceived, therefore conditioning related to fear does not occur

52
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for Sadness - anatomical substrate

A

lower sector of the anterior cingulate cortex

strongly activated when recalling sad events

53
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for Avoidance - anatomical substrate

A

lateral posterior hypothalamus
dorsal midbrain
entorhinal cortex

54
Q

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

A

in the long term, behavior usually has negative consequences, but the short term may be neutral or positive

55
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for disgust - anatomical substrate

A

insular cortex/putame
processing and recognition of social cues related to disgust
damage (including huntington’s disease) abolishes

56
Q

Neuroanatomical basis for Anger/rage

A

amygdala

requires dopaminergicc input acting at D2 receptors

57
Q

inhibition of anger/rage requires

A

neocortex
ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei
septal nuclei

58
Q

Pleasure

A

VTA, NA - dopamine. positive feedback system to encourage behavior

59
Q

Anger

A

involves amygdala and dopaminergic D2 receptor activation

60
Q

Fear

A

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

61
Q

Disgust

A

putamen and insular cortex is strongly involved (loss of ability to recognize in Huntingtons dz)

62
Q

Sadness

A

lower pole of anterior cingulate cortex

63
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 1 - the anterior cingulate Cx

functionally divided into 2 regions

A
Ventral= affective
dorsal = cognitive
64
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 1 - the anterior cingulate Cx

Role in emotion

A

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

65
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

Two divisions

A

ventromedial

dorsolateral

66
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

ventromedial division

A

receives input from

amygdala, hippocampus, temporal visual association area, dorsolateral prefrontal cx (the other division)

67
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

ventromedial division

A

receives input from

amygdala, hippocampus, temporal visual association area, dorsolateral prefrontal cx (the other division)

68
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

dorsolateral division

A

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

69
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

division we are interested in?

A

Ventromedial division

70
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

Three roles

A

Reward processing
integration of bodily signals
top down regulation

71
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

reward processing

A

(orbitofrontal) - with the amygdala, we link new stimulus to a primary reward

72
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

integration of bodily signals

A

(ventromedial prefrontal) - the “gut feeling” decision when logical analysis is unable to help

73
Q

Integrating the inputs Step 2 - the prefrontal cx

top down regulation

A

especially towards delayed gratification

74
Q

Role of anterior cingulate cx - summary

A

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

75
Q

Role of prefrontal cortex - summary

A

ventromedial subdivision
reward processing
gut-feeling
delayed gratification