1. Brain regions Neural systems interact The limbic system
Number of brain structures connected to hypothalmus
Includes hippocampus & amygdala

2. Limbic system

3. Limbic system
Electrical stimulation of the limbic system in conscious patients reveals emotion (Ervin & Martin, 1986)
Stimulation of the cortex rarely triggers reports of emotion or autonomic activation (LeDoux, 1991)

4. Amygdala Contains nuclei serving roles in +ive and –ive emotion
Information from other parts of brain comes together in amygdala where emotional significance is attached (Aggleton & Mishkin, 1986)
Monkeys - Lesion amygdala – normal sensation but low affective value

5. Amygdala
Electrical stimulation in humans associated with subjective reports of emotion

6. Fear & disgust

7. Neutral to (125%) exaggerated fear

8. Fear Expressions Activate the Amygdala (Morris et al. 1996)

9. 75% disgust 150% disgust

10. Disgust expressions activate insular cortex (Phillips et al. 1997)

11. Insular cortex Processes unpleasant tastes, smells
Processes disgusted expressions

12. Disorders of Emotion Recognition

13. (Young, Sprenglemeyer et al 1998)

14. Facial Expression of Emotion
Brain imaging
Different emotions activate different brain systems
Fear activates amygdala
Disgust activates insular cortex

15. Facial Expression of Emotion
Brain damage
Damage can selectively affect emotion recognition
Amygdala damage impairs recognition of fear
Basal ganglia and insular cortex damage impairs recognition of disgust