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Neuroscience. Limbic System. Limbic System. The limbic system is located deep within the core of the brain. It is a source of our raw emotions before they are modulated by our frontal lobes.
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Neuroscience Dr. Michael P. Gillespie Limbic System
Limbic System • The limbic system is located deep within the core of the brain. • It is a source of our raw emotions before they are modulated by our frontal lobes. • It is a storehouse for long-term memories, particularly memories that have a strong emotional component. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Parts of the Limbic System • Hippocampus • Amygdalae • Anterior thalamic nuclei • Septum • Limbic cortex • Fornix Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Functions of the Limbic System • Emotion • Behavior • Motivation • Long-term memory • Olfaction Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Functions • The limbic system includes the hypothalamus, amygdala, and the hippocampus. • These structures are involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. • The limbic system is where the subcortical structures meet the cerebral cortex. • The limbic system operates by influencing the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Functions continued… • The limbic system is highly interconnected with the nucleus accumbens, which is the brains pleasure center. • It plays a role in sexual arousal and the “high” derived from certain recreational drugs. • The basal ganglia in the limbic system direct intentional movements. This region also controls posture and movement. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Limbic • “limbic” comes from the Latin limbus for “border” or “edge”. • The limbic system forms the inner border of the cortex. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Hippocampus and Associated Structures • Hippocampus • Amygdala • Fornix • Mammillary body Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Hippocampus • Formation of long-term memories. • Cognitive maps for navigation. • If the hippocampus is damaged, a person cannot build new memories. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Amygdala • Signals the cortex of motivationally significant stimuli related to reward and fear. • Participates in social functions such as mating. • Stimulates the hippocampus to remember details surrounding an event or situation. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Fornix • Carries signals from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and septal nuclei. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Mammillary Body • Important for the formation of memory. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Septal Nuclei • Interconnections between areas of the limbic system. • Pleasure zone in animals. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Limbic Node • Parahippocampal gyrus • Formation of spatial memory • Cingulate gyrus • Autonomic functions • Heart rate, blood pressure • Cognitive and attentional processing • Dentate gyrus • Helps to formulate new memories Dr. Michael P. Gillespie
Additional Limbic Structures • Entorhinnal cortex • Memory and associative components • Piriform cortex • Olfactory system • Fornicate gyrus • Encompasses the cingulate, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus • Nucleus accumbens • Involved in reward, pleasure, and addiction • Orbitofrontal cortex • Required for decision making Dr. Michael P. Gillespie