The Emotional BrainThe Emotional Brain

Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy MD, DCN(Lond) PhD (Lond),

FRCP (Lond, Edin, Glas), MAMS

Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy MD, DCN(Lond) PhD (Lond),

FRCP (Lond, Edin, Glas), MAMS

Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh

• Extremely productive- over 2000 works in a short lifetime

• Bursts of creativity- in one short period in Arles (1888-89) he produced 200 paintings, 200 watercolors, and wrote 200 letters to his brother Theo- 1700 pages, shortest 6 pages long

• Hypergraphic in letter and painting

• Extremely productive- over 2000 works in a short lifetime

• Bursts of creativity- in one short period in Arles (1888-89) he produced 200 paintings, 200 watercolors, and wrote 200 letters to his brother Theo- 1700 pages, shortest 6 pages long

• Hypergraphic in letter and painting

Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh

• Had seizures while painting as demonstrated by the rough brush strokes “Over the Ravine”

• Demonstrated the gamut of sexual behaviors, hypo & hypersexuality, bisexuality

• Intensely emotional, could not terminate arguments easily

• Auditory hallucinations

• Had seizures while painting as demonstrated by the rough brush strokes “Over the Ravine”

• Demonstrated the gamut of sexual behaviors, hypo & hypersexuality, bisexuality

• Intensely emotional, could not terminate arguments easily

• Auditory hallucinations And if thine offend thee, And if thine offend thee, pluck it outpluck it out

Emotion and the BrainEmotion and the Brain

• While the hypothalamus was required for the expression of emotion the experience of emotion required the cortex, the stream of feeling depending on the strong connections between the cortex and the hypothalamus.

• Papez, 1937

• While the hypothalamus was required for the expression of emotion the experience of emotion required the cortex, the stream of feeling depending on the strong connections between the cortex and the hypothalamus.

• Papez, 1937

A life without emotions?A life without emotions?

• To appreciate the significance of emotions, just imagine life without them. Instead of the daily highs and lows we experience, life would be a great empty plane of existence without significance. Without question, the expression of emotion is a large part of being human.

• Bear, Connors & Paradiso

•Neuroscience- Exploring the Brain

• To appreciate the significance of emotions, just imagine life without them. Instead of the daily highs and lows we experience, life would be a great empty plane of existence without significance. Without question, the expression of emotion is a large part of being human.

• Bear, Connors & Paradiso

•Neuroscience- Exploring the Brain

James PapezJames Papez

• Proposed that on the medial wall of the brain there is an emotion system that links the cortex with the hypothalamus

• Believed that the experience of emotion was determined by activity in the cingulate cortex and less directly, other cortical areas

• Proposed that on the medial wall of the brain there is an emotion system that links the cortex with the hypothalamus

• Believed that the experience of emotion was determined by activity in the cingulate cortex and less directly, other cortical areas

HippocampusHippocampus

HypothalamusHypothalamusAnterior Nucleus Anterior Nucleus Of ThalamusOf Thalamus

CingulateCingulateCortexCortex

NEOCORTEXNEOCORTEX

Emotional Emotional expressionexpression

EmotionalEmotionalexperienceexperience

Slide courtesy: Prof. MR TrimbleSlide courtesy: Prof. MR Trimble

Amygdala (Greek for Almond)Amygdala (Greek for Almond)

• Lies in the pole of the temporal lobe, just below the cortex on the medial side. Is a complex of nucleii

• Afferents to the amygdala come from all sensory systems, each with a different projective pattern

• Removal of the amygdala causes fearlessness; electrical stimulation of the intact amygdala leads to increased vigilance or attention; lateral amygdala- fear and violent aggression

• Lies in the pole of the temporal lobe, just below the cortex on the medial side. Is a complex of nucleii

• Afferents to the amygdala come from all sensory systems, each with a different projective pattern

• Removal of the amygdala causes fearlessness; electrical stimulation of the intact amygdala leads to increased vigilance or attention; lateral amygdala- fear and violent aggression

Subnuclei of the Amygdala

M = Medial Nucleus; CE = Central Nucleus; PAS = Periamygdaloid Cortex; B = Basal Nucleus; AB = Accessory Basal Nucleus; L = Lateral Nucleus;

Paralaminar Nucleus

• Creativity & Emotion• Creativity & Emotion

• The right hemisphere nexus• The right hemisphere nexus

• Suffered from depression

• Also may have had euphoria

• Emotionality and creativity linked

• Blended poetry and music

• Also blended religious fervor with passionate nationalism

• Was his trinity talking?

• Suffered from depression

• Also may have had euphoria

• Emotionality and creativity linked

• Blended poetry and music

• Also blended religious fervor with passionate nationalism

• Was his trinity talking?

Subramanya BharathiSubramanya Bharathi

The neurobiology of positive emotions. Burgdorf J, Panksepp

JNeurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006;30(2):173-87.

The neurobiology of positive emotions. Burgdorf J, Panksepp

JNeurosci Biobehav Rev. 2006;30(2):173-87. •There is now a convergence of evidence

to suggest that various regions of the limbic system, including especially ventral striatal dopamine systems are implemented in an anticipatory (appetitive) positive affective state.

•Dopamine independent mechanisms utilizing opiate and GABA receptors in the ventral striatum, amygdala and orbital frontal cortex are important in elaborating consummatory PA (i.e. sensory pleasure) states, and various neuropeptides mediate homeostatic satisfactions.

•There is now a convergence of evidence to suggest that various regions of the limbic system, including especially ventral striatal dopamine systems are implemented in an anticipatory (appetitive) positive affective state.

•Dopamine independent mechanisms utilizing opiate and GABA receptors in the ventral striatum, amygdala and orbital frontal cortex are important in elaborating consummatory PA (i.e. sensory pleasure) states, and various neuropeptides mediate homeostatic satisfactions.

Kumagasu MinakataKumagasu Minakata

• Japanese Naturalist

• Never acquired a formal graduate degree

• Wrote hundreds of papers on religion, folklore and natural history

• Established “The Minakata Residence” in Wakayama Prefecture with Emperor’s support

• Japanese Naturalist

• Never acquired a formal graduate degree

• Wrote hundreds of papers on religion, folklore and natural history

• Established “The Minakata Residence” in Wakayama Prefecture with Emperor’s support

Kumagasu MinakataKumagasu Minakata

• Was actively involved in the anti-shrine consolidation protests and the nature conservation movement

• Was a virgin until age 41

• Wrote minuscule letters in compact space- tremendous number of articles

• Intense, emotional, short tempered, irritable

• Was actively involved in the anti-shrine consolidation protests and the nature conservation movement

• Was a virgin until age 41

• Wrote minuscule letters in compact space- tremendous number of articles

• Intense, emotional, short tempered, irritable

Kumagasu MinakataKumagasu Minakata

• Had temporal lobe epilepsy with deja vu experiences

• Using MRI to study his post-mortem brain, Murai and colleagues found Right Hippocampal Atrophy

• Had temporal lobe epilepsy with deja vu experiences

• Using MRI to study his post-mortem brain, Murai and colleagues found Right Hippocampal Atrophy

Inter-ictal behavioral syndrome of Temporal

Lobe Epilepsy

Inter-ictal behavioral syndrome of Temporal

Lobe Epilepsy• Syndrome described by Gastaut &

Geschwind and characterised by

• intensified and labile emotionality

• viscosity (orderliness, excessive attention to detail and persistence)

• hyposexuality

• religiosity

• hypergraphia

• Syndrome described by Gastaut & Geschwind and characterised by

• intensified and labile emotionality

• viscosity (orderliness, excessive attention to detail and persistence)

• hyposexuality

• religiosity

• hypergraphia

Sensory- Limbic Hyperconnection- an explanation

for the behavioral features

Sensory- Limbic Hyperconnection- an explanation

for the behavioral features• increased electrical activity-temporal

lobe

• u

• enhanced connection between sensory input and limbic processing

• u

• sensory experience suffused with emotional coloration

• increased electrical activity-temporal lobe

• u

• enhanced connection between sensory input and limbic processing

• u

• sensory experience suffused with emotional coloration

Laterality & inter-ictal behavioral syndromeLaterality & inter-ictal behavioral syndrome

• RIGHT SIDED FOCUS

• (EMOTIVE)

• emotionality

• elation and sadness

• Tendency to ‘polish’ image

• RIGHT SIDED FOCUS

• (EMOTIVE)

• emotionality

• elation and sadness

• Tendency to ‘polish’ image

LEFT SIDED FOCUS

(IDEATIVE)

sense of personal destiny

philosophical interests

Tendency to ‘tarnish’ image

Hippocampus and Geschwind’s triad

Hippocampus and Geschwind’s triad

• 33 subjects (23 men) with refractory partial seizures completed NBI

• Patients scoring high and low on patient and carer NBI sub-scales assessed

• Groups were matched for frequency/ severity using NHSSS

• Hyper-religiosity inversely associated with right hippocampal volume

• 33 subjects (23 men) with refractory partial seizures completed NBI

• Patients scoring high and low on patient and carer NBI sub-scales assessed

• Groups were matched for frequency/ severity using NHSSS

• Hyper-religiosity inversely associated with right hippocampal volume

We compared epilepsy patients with very severe BHA (>3 SD) and those with no BHA

High psychiatric co-morbidity in both groups- no statistical difference

Group with BHA-self ratings emotions, fear, guilt, sadness; carer ratings: hyposexuality, hypergraphia, dependency

Wuerfel et al, JNNP 2004; 1.       

75 (4); 640-2.

Wuerfel et al, JNNP 2004; 1.       

75 (4); 640-2.Tebartz van Elst L. Epi & Behav 2003: 4; 291-7

Tebartz van Elst L. Epi & Behav 2003: 4; 291-7

Temperament & Brain Dominance

Temperament & Brain Dominance

• Left brain dominant individuals tend to be more ideological and philosophical in their approach; more motivated by social and pragmatic, rather than emotional concerns; more diligent, purposeful, capable of greater tenacity and driven more often by a sense of duty.

• Left brain dominant individuals tend to be more ideological and philosophical in their approach; more motivated by social and pragmatic, rather than emotional concerns; more diligent, purposeful, capable of greater tenacity and driven more often by a sense of duty.

• Right brain dominant people have a better appreciation of the world around them, greater creative ability; a proclivity for the finer aspects of life; and tend to be more mood and emotion driven in making their choices; both day to day ones and those that are life- defining.

Right Hemisphere & Creative Endeavor

Right Hemisphere & Creative Endeavor

• The use of language, poetry and metaphor produces heightened activity in the right hemisphere

• Creative pursuits are strongly associated with disorders of the mind- bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia

• In poetry there are several examples of such overlap

• The use of language, poetry and metaphor produces heightened activity in the right hemisphere

• Creative pursuits are strongly associated with disorders of the mind- bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia

• In poetry there are several examples of such overlap

DAY EXPERIENCE

Day-1He has a painful lump on his neck, the size of a marble, that appears to be

contracted muscle

Day-2

He is well until after breakfast; lies down to rest. Found later, rolling on the bed, tossing about, moaning, as if in great pain, unable to

communicate clearly. This is followed by a fit of shivering, clenching his teeth, gripping his hands tight. Complains of a painful headache;

eyes are described as being "full of strange unconsciousness". Rosalind, chosen to be with him, hugs him, holds his hands and rubs

them comfortingly; he feels better.

Day-3

Characterized alternately by periods of lying down quietly followed by periods of moaning and trembling, which are triggered in particular by sounds. Does not eat at meal times but becomes curiously quiet, as if

he wants to allow those taking care of him to eat.

Day-4

Described as "the day on which we saw the glorious climax". Seemed to be in great suffering; intensification of trembling and heat;

consciousness became more and more intermittent; every movement causes him to jump out of his skin; perceives dirt everywhere; talks all

the time about Adyar and members of the Purple Order there; repeatedly says “I want to go to India, why have you brought me her

e?”. Ends up sitting in a dark corner. At sundown, he asks to be left alone but later joins group on Verandah,

carrying a cushion; he ends up sitting as far away from the group as possible; does not attend to the group there, is found to be murmuring incoherently; He is then persuaded to go and sit under a "pepper tree"

in expectation of "the Master's visit".

JK- The PreludeJK- The Prelude

Description Neuropsychiatric Interpretation

seeing the beings and conversations…

Hallucinations* and/or vivid imagery- both auditory and visual

* perception in the absence of a stimulus

watching oneself from above….

Depersonalization** A feeling of being removed from the

environment; of watching oneself, like an actor in a play

there was a profound calmness…. Delusional mood (a strange feeling that precedes a primary delusion)

I was supremely happy for I had seen. Nothing could be the

same again….

Primary Delusion* Euphoria that may follow hysterical

experiences* A false fixed belief that has no basis in

fact

Rosalind trembling and almost sobbing with joy saw it all. ‘Look

do you see? Do you hear the music?

A Shared Delusion?- Folie a deux

Vivid imagery that accompanies heightened sensorium

Mass Hysteria like experience

JK- Clinical InterpretationsJK- Clinical Interpretations

JK- The Turning PointTransformation

JK- The Turning PointTransformation

• “I have drunk at the clear and pure waters at the source of the fountain of life and my thirst was appeased. Never could I be thirsty, never more could I be in utter darkness. I have seen the light. I have found compassion which heals all sorrow and suffering; it is not for myself but for the world. I have stood in the mountain top and gazed at the mighty beings. Never can I be in utter darkness.”

• “I have drunk at the clear and pure waters at the source of the fountain of life and my thirst was appeased. Never could I be thirsty, never more could I be in utter darkness. I have seen the light. I have found compassion which heals all sorrow and suffering; it is not for myself but for the world. I have stood in the mountain top and gazed at the mighty beings. Never can I be in utter darkness.”

JK- The Turning PointTransformation

JK- The Turning PointTransformation

• “I have seen the glorious and healing light. The fountain of truth has been revealed to me, the darkness has been dispersed. Love in all its glory has intoxicated my heart; my heart can never be closed. I have drunk at the fountain of joy and eternal beauty. I am god intoxicated.”

• “I have seen the glorious and healing light. The fountain of truth has been revealed to me, the darkness has been dispersed. Love in all its glory has intoxicated my heart; my heart can never be closed. I have drunk at the fountain of joy and eternal beauty. I am god intoxicated.”

Neurosci Lett. 2006 Sep 25;405(3):186-90Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite

nuns. Beauregard M.

Neurosci Lett. 2006 Sep 25;405(3):186-90Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite

nuns. Beauregard M.

• The main goal of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to identify the neural correlates of a mystical experience. The brain activity of Carmelite nuns was measured while they were subjectively in a state of union with God.

• This state was associated with significant loci of activation in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right middle temporal cortex, right inferior and superior parietal lobules, right caudate, left medial prefrontal cortex, left anterior cingulate cortex, left inferior parietal lobule, left insula, left caudate, and left brainstem.

• Other loci of activation were seen in the extra-striate visual cortex. These results suggest that mystical experiences are mediated by several brain regions and systems.

• The main goal of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to identify the neural correlates of a mystical experience. The brain activity of Carmelite nuns was measured while they were subjectively in a state of union with God.

• This state was associated with significant loci of activation in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right middle temporal cortex, right inferior and superior parietal lobules, right caudate, left medial prefrontal cortex, left anterior cingulate cortex, left inferior parietal lobule, left insula, left caudate, and left brainstem.

• Other loci of activation were seen in the extra-striate visual cortex. These results suggest that mystical experiences are mediated by several brain regions and systems.

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Oct 17;444(1):1-4. 2008. EEG activity in Carmelite nuns during a

mystical experience. Beauregard M, Paquette

V.

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Oct 17;444(1):1-4. 2008. EEG activity in Carmelite nuns during a

mystical experience. Beauregard M, Paquette

V. • The main objective of this study was to measure EEG spectral

power and coherence in 14 Carmelite nuns during a mystical experience. EEG activity was recorded from 19 scalp locations during a resting state, a control condition and a mystical condition.

• In the mystical condition compared to control condition, electrode sites showed greater theta power at F3, C3, P3, Fz, Cz and Pz, and greater gamma1 power was detected at T4 and P4.

• Higher delta/beta ratio, theta/alpha ratio and theta/beta ratio were found for several electrode sites. In addition, FP1-C3 pair of electrodes displayed greater coherence for theta band while F4-P4, F4-T6, F8-T6 and C4-P4 pairs of electrodes showed greater coherence for alpha band.

• These results indicate that mystical experiences are mediated by marked changes in EEG power and coherence. These changes implicate several cortical areas of the brain in both hemispheres.

• The main objective of this study was to measure EEG spectral power and coherence in 14 Carmelite nuns during a mystical experience. EEG activity was recorded from 19 scalp locations during a resting state, a control condition and a mystical condition.

• In the mystical condition compared to control condition, electrode sites showed greater theta power at F3, C3, P3, Fz, Cz and Pz, and greater gamma1 power was detected at T4 and P4.

• Higher delta/beta ratio, theta/alpha ratio and theta/beta ratio were found for several electrode sites. In addition, FP1-C3 pair of electrodes displayed greater coherence for theta band while F4-P4, F4-T6, F8-T6 and C4-P4 pairs of electrodes showed greater coherence for alpha band.

• These results indicate that mystical experiences are mediated by marked changes in EEG power and coherence. These changes implicate several cortical areas of the brain in both hemispheres.

Are transformational experiences a reflection of

the soul? That undeterminable part of the

human psyche…

Are transformational experiences a reflection of

the soul? That undeterminable part of the

human psyche…

The SoulThe Soul

A noun variously defined as the psyche, inspiration & energy

May be considered the vital force that inspires, energises and stimulates usWe can study its manifestations and

effects in all human activity having these qualities

Michael R Trimble “Soul in the Brain”

A noun variously defined as the psyche, inspiration & energy

May be considered the vital force that inspires, energises and stimulates usWe can study its manifestations and

effects in all human activity having these qualities

Michael R Trimble “Soul in the Brain”

What moves us to tears?What moves us to tears?

• Why are we the human race so moved by poetry, music & art that we are reduced to tears, not tears of sorrow but of elation and ecstasy?

• Many Indian saints were thus struck!

• Thiagaraja- Lord Rama

• Purandaradasa- Lord Vithoba

• Subramanya Bharathi- his motherland

• Why are we the human race so moved by poetry, music & art that we are reduced to tears, not tears of sorrow but of elation and ecstasy?

• Many Indian saints were thus struck!

• Thiagaraja- Lord Rama

• Purandaradasa- Lord Vithoba

• Subramanya Bharathi- his motherland

The Soul in the BrainThe Soul in the Brain

• Trimble’s work is important as it attempts to link up neuroscience with art and aesthetics

• It postulates that creative expression may be a vicarious marker of the human soul and may have a critical mass of brain structures underpinning it

• This does not prove that these markers house the human soul, not even that they are true soul representation

• Trimble’s work is important as it attempts to link up neuroscience with art and aesthetics

• It postulates that creative expression may be a vicarious marker of the human soul and may have a critical mass of brain structures underpinning it

• This does not prove that these markers house the human soul, not even that they are true soul representation

Eureka moments- when your brain, mind and soul

start trinity talking…

Eureka moments- when your brain, mind and soul

start trinity talking…• In these moments there is sudden clarity that often

follows a period of confusion and turmoil.

• In these moments we often experience unique insights, contemplate momentous decisions and possibly take definitive steps that may have an impact on our whole life.

• In these moments we experience deep understanding of the self and the world around us

• Clearly these are precious moments when our thoughts, beliefs and emotions meet with our inspiration.

• When our brain, mind and soul meet! Trinity talking…

• In these moments there is sudden clarity that often follows a period of confusion and turmoil.

• In these moments we often experience unique insights, contemplate momentous decisions and possibly take definitive steps that may have an impact on our whole life.

• In these moments we experience deep understanding of the self and the world around us

• Clearly these are precious moments when our thoughts, beliefs and emotions meet with our inspiration.

• When our brain, mind and soul meet! Trinity talking…The possibility that one could study the soul by associating inspirational human experience, religion, The possibility that one could study the soul by associating inspirational human experience, religion,

music, poetry and literature, with the brain, is tantalizing to say the least. music, poetry and literature, with the brain, is tantalizing to say the least. Michael Trimble,Michael Trimble, Soul in the Brain Soul in the Brain

Inspirational GeniusInspirational Genius

• Trinity Talking• Trinity Talking

The genesis of inspirational moments

The genesis of inspirational moments

• Pathos & bewilderment

• The moment of clarity and inspiration- Eureka Moment

• Creative Expression- not only aesthetic, but also in thought, feeling, emotion; as also professional and institutional

• inspiration+expression= a form of GENIUS

• Neuroscience can learn much from the study of creative expression

• Pathos & bewilderment

• The moment of clarity and inspiration- Eureka Moment

• Creative Expression- not only aesthetic, but also in thought, feeling, emotion; as also professional and institutional

• inspiration+expression= a form of GENIUS

• Neuroscience can learn much from the study of creative expression