Amygdala

involved in emotional learning, perception, and memory formation. The amygdala is part of the interconnected set of structures that are referred to as the limbic system. The primary function of the limbic system is to modulate emotional and motivated behavior. The amygdala plays a key role in evaluating the emotional valence of stimuli. An example of this is when the amygdala lesions defect fear behavior in animals. In humans the amygdala is sensitive to facial expressions of fear or threatening words

History The term ‘amygdala’ was first used by Burdach (1819) and referred to a set of nuclei in the brain (Aggleton & Saunders, 2000). In 1939, researchers Klüver & Bucy inflicted bilateral lesions of the inferior temporal lobe of monkeys in a laboratory in an attempt to reduce aggression. These lesions affected the cortical areas, amygdala, and the hippocampus. Later this became known as Klüver-Bucy syndrome, and consisted of symptoms such as psychic blindness, hypermetamorphsis, oral tendencies

Some people argue that many unconscious decision-making systems such as reflexes, Procedural, and Pavlovian are not a part of oneself. However, I would argue that these systems are definitely parts of oneself because of their correlation with the brain that brings about changes in the mind, and their neural basis that share some similarities with the deliberative system. Moreover, to claim that only a decision-making system that exerts self-control belongs to oneself is to overemphasize on self-control

The standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb 761® is an herbal remedy, most extensively used for dementia and cognitive impairment and it is one of the best classified extracts (DeFeudis FV, Drieu K. 2000). This standardized extract contains 24% flavanol hetrosides and 6% terpenes (ginkgolide biolobalide) and is marketed in Europe as Rokan® and Tanakan® (Porsolt et al.,1990). Having a lower molecular weight EGb 761 can cross blood brain barrier and produces various pharmacological effects on central

11 control subjects and 14 combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD, placing them in stressful situations using a single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) machine found activation in the left amygdala on the PTSD sufferers but not with the control subjects. This suggests that the amygdala responds to unpleasant stimuli in individuals suffering with memories of a past traumatic episode. Other brain imaging studies have found a link between encoding

It has been agreed in the literature that memories can generally be defined in terms of time (Nader, Schafe & LeDoux, 2000). Memory is sensitive to disruption soon after learning as it is in a labile state of short-term memory (STM). Conversely, memory enters a stable form and is less sensitive to such disruptions in long-term memory (LTM) at a later stage after learning (Nader et al.). Research has argued that the process in which labile new memories transform into stable long-lasting memories is

sensory cortices and other sensory areas. It is together with the hippocampus, considered a part of the limbic system. The amygdala receives input from all levels of sensory processing. From thalamus, it receives early sensory signals that have not yet been highly analyzed. A more thorough analysis of a stimulus is done in the sensory cortex that also projects to the amygdala . Thalamus The thalamus is located in the forebrain superior to the mid brain near the center of the brain with nerve fibers

This essay is focusing on the current understanding of the neurobiology of memory reconsolidation and its implications for psychology. This paper will specifically focus on the molecular mechanisms of reconsolidation and research relating to fear memories and using propranolol and D-cycloserine as a treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Memory consolidation is the process by which memories are stabilised after being acquired. Consolidation studies have traditionally focused on the hippocampus

The Theory of Reconsolidation - What is it and how can it impact on our lives? Learning is a very important aspect of humans and creatures alike. Not only is it essential to the survival and adaption into this world but it also defines who we are as individuals (Schiller et al, 2010; Tronson & Taylor, 2007). Memories from past experiences shape the people that we are today. A crucial element to learning is memory, without it we would not be able to retain information. The process of memory is very

Source monitoring is where the memory and information a person gains is originating from. Internal source monitoring is judging between two of their own memories. External source monitoring is judging what environmental source the memory came from. Reality monitoring is being able to distinguish between the two (Smeets et al., 2006). Cortisol is a glucocorticoid released when a person is put through something stressful. The efficiency of forming and consolidating memories and the later retrieval