THE LIMBIC SYSTEM Briana Morgan Mrs. Whitlock’s AP Psychology Class Second Block

General Overview Linked to emotions, basic motives such as food and sexLinked to emotions, basic motives such as food and sex Controls some of the bodies hormonesControls some of the bodies hormones “limbic” comes from Latin limbus, meaning “border”, “belt”“limbic” comes from Latin limbus, meaning “border”, “belt” Contains structures thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, mammillary bodies, cingulate gyrus, hippocampusContains structures thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, mammillary bodies, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus

Location

Thalamus Motor controlMotor control Receives auditory, somato- sensory, and visual sensory signalsReceives auditory, somato- sensory, and visual sensory signals Relays sensory signals to cerebral cortexRelays sensory signals to cerebral cortex

Hypothalamus Monitors blood chemistry and takes orders from other partsMonitors blood chemistry and takes orders from other parts Controls pituitary glandControls pituitary gland The “reward center” of the brainThe “reward center” of the brain Regulates thirst, hunger, body temperature, sleep/wake cycleRegulates thirst, hunger, body temperature, sleep/wake cycle

Amygdala Influences aggression and fearInfluences aggression and fear Controls sexual arousal, autonomic responses, emotional responses, hormonal secretionsControls sexual arousal, autonomic responses, emotional responses, hormonal secretions Loss/removal of amygdala results in heightened fear in most casesLoss/removal of amygdala results in heightened fear in most cases Electrical stimulation of amygdala results in heightened aggressionElectrical stimulation of amygdala results in heightened aggression

Mammillary Bodies Responsible for the formation of new memoriesResponsible for the formation of new memories Damage from Wernicke- Korsakoff syndrome results in impaired memory, retrograde amnesiaDamage from Wernicke- Korsakoff syndrome results in impaired memory, retrograde amnesia

Cingulate Gyrus Coordinates sensory input with emotionsCoordinates sensory input with emotions Controls emotional responses to painControls emotional responses to pain Regulates (most) aggressive behaviorRegulates (most) aggressive behavior

Hippocampus Processes memory, esp. long-termProcesses memory, esp. long-term Allows an animal to compare a present threat with similar past experiences and choose best option to guarantee survivalAllows an animal to compare a present threat with similar past experiences and choose best option to guarantee survival Consolidates new memoriesConsolidates new memories Controls emotion, navigation, and spatial orientationControls emotion, navigation, and spatial orientation