6533b871fe1ef96bd12d0e0e

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Amygdala

subject

description

The amygdala is considered a key center in managing emotional information and its dysfunction is at the base of disorders ranging through anxiety, depression, PTSD and autism. However, the amygdala seems heterogeneous both structurally (with pallial and supallial components) and functionally. Thus, whereas cortical and thalamic multimodal sensory inputs enter the basolateral complex, the corticomedial amygdala is dominated by olfactory and vomeronasal inputs. Intrinsic amygdaloid circuitry, connects these two amygdaloid divisions and convey processed information to the main amygdala outputs. The pallial amygdala is the main source for telencephalic outputs to associative cortical areas (e.g., frontal lobe and hippocampus) and to the ventral striatum. The two subdivisions of the extended amygdala, central and medial, originate descending projections to the hypothalamus and brainstem centers for emotional responses and behavioral control. The amygdala is the key node of the neural network where sensory information acquires emotional value through Pavlovian associations and where fear memories may be extinguished. It is also a fundamental piece of the neural machinery controlling socio-sexual and defensive behaviors.