A Highly Simplified Guide to the Neuroscience of Emotion

1. A Highly Simplified Guide to the Neuroscience of Emotion Fig.1 (above): The limbic system is one of the primary regions of the brain responsible for human emotion.

2. Emotion is Dependent on Many Regions of the Brain • The generation of emotions is a product of many brain structures; including the hippocampus, amygdala, and portions of the thalamus – together forming the core of the limbic system. • The limbic system is not solely dedicated to emotion – it also functions in motivation, behavior, and memory as well.

3. Other regions of the brain besides the limbic system are required for the generation of emotion. • Emotions which manifest themselves through both laughing and crying involve an interaction between sensory regions of the cerebrum and the limbic system. • Parts of the forebrain also attach emotional “feelings” to basic, survival-related functions controlled by the brainstem; including aggression, hunger, and sexuality.

4. Memories tied to intense emotional states can be recalled by similar circumstances. • Memories which were based in fear, however, are stored separately from the memory system that supports explicit recall of events. • The brain structure with the most important role in storage of emotional memory is the amygdala, an almond-shaped mass of nuclei located at the base of the cerebrum.

5. Neurotransmitter Dynamics • Neurotransmitter imbalance within the limbic system may lead to severe mental health illness. • Dopamine appears to be the primary neurotransmitter responsible for emotional regulation within the limbic system itself. Serotonin is thought to also play a significant role, as well.(source)

6. Fig. 2(below): dopamine Fig. 2(above): serotonin