Neuroscience of the Limbic System

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What is the primary function of the hippocampus?

Regulating emotions through the endocrine system
Controlling rage and placidity responses
Formation and recall of long-term memories (correct)
Mediating ethics and impulsive behavior

Which brain area is primarily associated with the physical response to emotions?

Hippocampus
Hypothalamus (correct)
Cerebellum
Anterior cingulate gyrus

What type of emotions does the anterior cingulate gyrus specifically mediate?

Negative emotions only
Visual perception of emotions
Physical pain sensations
Moral emotions and ethical reasoning (correct)

Which brain structure is linked to feelings of rage and anger?

Lateral hypothalamus (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where are the most potent reward centers primarily located?

Medial forebrain bundle (D) Signup and view all the answers

What concept does motivation involve according to the content?

The desire to act based on expected rewards (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following emotions is primarily associated with stimulation of punishment centers?

Fear and pain (A) Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by 'flattened' emotions, among other symptoms?

Schizophrenia (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are part of the cortical components of the limbic system?

Cingulate gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major function of the limbic system?

Controlling emotional behaviour (C) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the Papez circuit is disrupted?

Impaired emotional regulation (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT involved in the visceral sensory aspect of emotion?

Facial muscles (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where does input to the limbic system primarily come from?

Association cortex and olfactory cortex (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which structure in the limbic system is responsible for memory formation?

Hippocampus (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the limbic system's connection with the prefrontal cortex is true?

The prefrontal cortex helps funnel emotional input to the hypothalamus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the amygdala?

Visual information processing (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the nucleus accumbens in the brain?

Processing motivation and pleasure (D) Signup and view all the answers

What neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the feeling of pleasure?

Dopamine (D) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does prolonged exposure to dopamine surges have on the reward system?

Desensitizes the reward system (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do stressful events potentially affect an individual's neurotransmitter balance?

Trigger deficiencies in serotonin and norepinephrine (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens in the brain's reward pathway when certain drugs are consumed?

Dopamine levels increase, triggering pleasure responses (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the nucleus accumbens and addiction?

It plays a significant role in the cognitive processing of addiction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of mood and emotions?

Serotonin and Norepinephrine (A) Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of the brain making connections between activity and pleasure?

It ensures repeated engagement in pleasurable activities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary outputs of the amygdala?

Septal nucleus and hypothalamus (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased activity in the left prefrontal regions?

Minimized negative emotions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is exhibited by animals after bilateral temporal lobectomy?

Compulsion to orally explore objects (C) Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response is primarily associated with stimulation of the amygdala?

Fear and anxiety (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does damage to the amygdala most likely result in?

Impaired assessment of threatening situations (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the right prefrontal region affect emotional processing?

Inhibits positive emotions (D) Signup and view all the answers

During the Wada test, what mood changes do patients typically report when the left hemisphere is anaesthetized?

Negative changes in mood, such as sadness (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the amygdala play in recognizing emotions in others?

Recognizing emotions indicated by facial expressions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Limbic System Function

The part of the brain involved in emotional and behavioral responses needed for survival (e.g., feeding, reproduction, fight-or-flight).

Limbic System Components

A group of cortical and subcortical structures that interact to control emotions—including the cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and parts of the prefrontal cortex.

Papez Circuit

A neural pathway that plays a role in emotions, encompassing connections between the hypothalamus, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and hippocampus.