Anatomy of Emotions

Hypothalamic CircuitHormones regulate various

motivated behaviorHypothalamus controls the

pituitaryProduces posterior pituitary

hormonesSecretes releasing

hormones which stimulate the anterior pituitary

Regulated by feedback and response to other stimuli

Pituitary Hormones

Feedback Regulation

Milk Letdown Response

Limbic System

Cingulate Gyrus

Olfactory Bulb

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

Fornix

Mammilary BodyHippocampus

Amygdala

Limbic CircuitJames Papez – rabies

damaged the hippocampus emotional disturbances

Input from the prefrontal cortex, sensory cortex, and hypothalamus passes through the limbic circuit

Amygdala & HippocampusAmygdala receives input from sensory systemsSends info to the hypothalamus

Influences emotional response and behaviorStimulates eating

Hippocampus plays a role in spatial awareness, emotion, and memory

Frontal LobePrefrontal cortex and

amygdala receive input from each other

Prefrontal cortex sends signals to the hypothalamus activates autonomic NS

Agenesis – absence or severe reduction of the frontal lobe