neuroscience limbic system dr. michael p. gillespie
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NeuroscienceLimbic SystemD
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P.
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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.
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Parts of the Limbic System
Hippocampus
Amygdalae
Anterior thalamic nuclei
Septum
Limbic cortex
Fornix
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Functions of the Limbic System
Emotion
Behavior
Motivation
Long-term memory
Olfaction
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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.
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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.
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Limbic
“limbic” comes from the Latin limbus for “border” or “edge”.
The limbic system forms the inner border of the cortex.
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Hippocampus and Associated Structures
Hippocampus
Amygdala
Fornix
Mammillary body
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Hippocampus
Formation of long-term memories.
Cognitive maps for navigation.
If the hippocampus is damaged, a person cannot build new memories.
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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.
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Fornix
Carries signals from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and septal nuclei.
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Mammillary Body
Important for the formation of memory.
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Septal Nuclei
Interconnections between areas of the limbic system.
Pleasure zone in animals.
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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
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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
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