Recitation Week 13

Question 1

For amygdala sensory inputs, after the sensory stimuli, what are the main brain regions activated?

Answer 1

1) Thalamus
2) Brainstem

Question 2

The brainstem only sends its signal forward in this process to which brain region?

Answer 2

1) basolateral amygdala
NOTE: it also receives signals from the basolateral amygdala

Question 2

The thalamus activates or sends its signal forward to two brain regions, what are they?

Answer 2

1) to the primary sensory cortices
2) basolateral amygdala

Question 3

The primary sensory cortices receive their signals from the thalamus, and send it on to what brain region?

Answer 3

1) the association cortices, including the:
-OFC
-mPFC

Question 4

The association cortices, particularly the OFC and mPFC send their signals to two brain regions, one of which it gets feedback connections from. What are those two brain regions and which of those does it get communication back from?

Answer 4

1) hippocampus
2) basolateral amygdala

It is the basolateral amygdala that it has feedforward and feedback connections to

Question 5

Of those feedforward and feedback connections, what types of processes are happening and in what direction?

Answer 5

1) the primary sensory cortices have conscious feelings towards the basolateral amygdala
2) the basolateral amygdala sends Behavioral selection processes to the primary sensory cortices

Question 6

In this whole process, where does the hippocampus have input connections to?

Answer 6

The basolateral amygdala

Question 7

Where do the main outputs of the amygdala start from?

Answer 7

the central amygdala, not the medial group or basolateral group

Question 8

The central amygdala/group has 4 main outputs, what are they?

Answer 8

1) hippocampus
2) hypothalamus
3) neocortex
4) ventral basal ganglia (voluntary smile)

Question 9

Of those four outputs, which are associated with semantic thought, conscious feelings and emotional thoughts?

Answer 9

1) hippocampus (semantic thoughts)
2) neocortex (conscious feelings)
both of those contribute to emotional thoughts

Question 10

of the four outputs, which of those lead to a somatic response, and what are their projections?

Answer 10

1) hypothalamus -> SNS -> somatic response
2) hypothalamus -> HPA axis -> somatic response

Question 11

Does the hypothalamus have any other outputs in this process?

Answer 11

Yes, to the thalamus

Question 12

Which of the hypothalamic outputs lead to the Duchenne smile?

Answer 12

None - they contribute directly to the Duchenne smile

Question 13

When dealing with aggression, there are two types, what are they?

Answer 13

1) predatory aggression
2) affective aggression

Question 14

which of those two activates the SNS more?

Answer 14

affective aggression

Question 15

which area of the amygdala is most thought to be associated with aggression?

Answer 15

medial amygdala

Question 16

what other brain region is thought to be associated with aggression?

Answer 16

the hypothalamus

Question 17

are there any other brain regions associated with aggression besides the amygdala and hypothalamus?

Answer 17

1) OFC
2) ACC
3) PFC (regulation/brakes on aggression)

Question 17

which specific regions are affected in the hypothalamus in terms of aggression, and what types?

Answer 17

1) Medial hypothalamus - affective aggression
2) Lateral hypothalamus - predatory aggression
3) Posterior hypothalamus - sham rage

also activating the VMN of the hypothalamus is often associated with aggression

Question 18

Does the hypothalamus have any other role in this neural circuit?

Answer 18

Yes, it can affect the PAG (threats/defensive behaviors +/-) and VTA (social/environmental cues)
NOTE: stimulating VMN < aggression

Question 18

In the Social Behavioral Network, what is the potential neural circuit involved in aggression?

Answer 18

PFC -> Amygdala (medial): two pathways
1 -> VMN of the hypothalamus + AHN
2 -> PAG + VTA -> this pathway leads to aggressive behavior

Question 19

Are there any other models or things which can regulate aggression?

Answer 19

Yes, 5HT
< 5 HT = > aggression
5 HT 1B agonists < aggression
5 HT 1B antagonists > aggression

Question 20

What constitutes the ‘low road’ pathway of emotion?

Answer 20

1) sensory info -> 2) thalamus -> 3) amygdala (bypasses conscious processes) for immediate response (i.e. fear)

Question 21

What constitutes the ‘high road’ pathway of emotion?

Answer 21

1) sensory info -> 2 thalamus -> 3) cortex (higher processes) -> 4) amygdala (slower process, allows more conscious involvement)