LIMBIC SYSTEMNBIO 401

Robinson

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-5) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-6) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-5) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-6) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-5) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-6) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-6) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-7) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-5) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-6) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

Objectives:

-1) Be able to describe the major inputs and outputs, function, and the

consequences of lesions or electrical stimulation for each of the six components

of the limbic system that we described (i.e., hypothalamus, amygdala,

hippocampus, cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and septal nuclei)

-2) Be able to describe the basic interconnections of the limbic system, and what

fibers are in the three main fiber tracks described in the lecture: a) the stria

terminalis, b) the fornix, and c) the medial forebrain bundle.

-3) Be able to describe the location of these tracks in the brain.

-4) Be able to explain the three ways in which it hypothalamic activity can act to

maintain homeostasis.

-5) Be able to explain the different mechanisms through which the hypothalamus

controls the anterior and posterior pituitary gland.

-6) Know the two functions of cortical input to the limbic system that we discussed.

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

HYPOTHALAMUS

F igu re 3

anterior posterior

Location of the m edial forebrain bundle in asagittal section of a rat brain.

Hypothalamus

Inputs:

-1) amygdala (via stria terminalis & direct)

-2) hippocampus (via fornix)

-3)septal nuclei (via medial forebrain

bundle)

-4) brainstem & spinal cord (via medial

forebrain bundle)

Hypothalamus

Outputs:

-1) amygdala (via stria terminalis)

-2) hippocampus (via fornix)

-3) septal nuclei (via medial forebrain

bundle)

-4) brainstem & spinal cord sympathetic

and parasympathetic preganglionic

neurons

-5) pituitary (neural & humoral)

-6) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

Hypothalamus

Outputs:

-1) amygdala (via stria terminalis)

-2) hippocampus (via fornix)

-3) septal nuclei (via medial forebrain

bundle)

-4) brainstem & spinal cord sympathetic

and parasympathetic preganglionic

neurons

-5) pituitary (neural & humoral)

-6) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

BA

Autonomic Nervous SystemSympathetic

(fight or flight)Parasympathetic

(rest & digest)

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) changing the body via ANS

2) changing the body via pituitary gland

3) changing motivation for behavior

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) changing the body via ANS

2) changing the body via pituitary gland

3) changing motivation for behavior

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) changing the body via ANS

2) changing the body via pituitary gland

3) changing motivation for behavior

INFUNDIBULUM(stalk of pituitary)

OPTICCHIASM

INFUNDIBULUM(stalk of pituitary)

OPTICCHIASM

INFUNDIBULUM(stalk of pituitary)

OPTICCHIASM

INFUNDIBULUM(stalk of pituitary)

OPTICCHIASM

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) action on body via ANS

2) action on body via pituitary gland

3) motivating behavioral solutions

Hypothalamus

Outputs:

-1) amygdala (via stria terminalis)

-2) hippocampus (via fornix)

-3) septal nuclei (via medial forebrain

bundle)

-4) brainstem & spinal cord sympathetic

and parasympathetic preganglionic

neurons

-5) pituitary (neural & humoral)

-6) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) action on body via ANS

2) action on body via pituitary gland

3) motivating behavioral solutions

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) action on body via ANS

2) action on body via pituitary gland

3) motivating behavioral solutions

The hypothalamus also prepares the body for responses using stimuli that are not directly inside the body.

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) action on body via ANS

2) action on body via pituitary gland

3) motivating behavioral solutions

The hypothalamus also prepares the body for responses using stimuli that are not directly inside the body.

Finally, the hypothalamus relays info about the body to the limbic system.

The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis 3 ways:

1) action on body via ANS

2) action on body via pituitary gland

3) motivating behavioral solutions

The hypothalamus also prepares the body for responses using stimuli that are not directly inside the body.

Finally, the hypothalamus relays info about the body to the limbic system. The James-Lange theory.

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

Amygdala

Inputs:

-1) cortex (orbital, cingulate, entorhinal, & temporal)

-2) hypothalamus (via stria terminalis &

directly)

-3) hippocampus

-4) brainstem

-5) septal nuclei

-6) thalamus

Amygdala

Outputs:

-1) cortex (orbital, cingulate, entorhinal, &

temporal via thalamus)

-2) hypothalamus (via stria terminalis &

directly)

-3) hippocampus

-4) septal nuclei

-5) thalamus

Amygdala

Functions:

-1) connection between cortex & hypothalamus

-2) probably mediates feeling of emotions (electrical stimulation

elicits fear & can elicit same behaviors as stimulating

hypothalamus but w/ more natural onset and offset)

-3) lesions cause docile animals without fear

Amygdala

Functions:

-1) connection between cortex & hypothalamus

-2) probably mediates feeling of emotions (electrical stimulation

elicits fear & can elicit same behaviors as stimulating

hypothalamus but w/ more natural onset and offset)

-3) lesions cause docile animals without fear

Amygdala

Functions:

-1) connection between cortex & hypothalamus

-2) probably mediates feeling of emotions (electrical stimulation

elicits fear & can elicit same behaviors as stimulating

hypothalamus but w/ more natural onset and offset)

-3) lesions cause docile animals without fear

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

Hippocampus

Inputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) amygdala

-3) hypothalamus (via fornix)

entorhinal cortex

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Inputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) amygdala

-3) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Inputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) amygdala

-3) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

-3) amygdala

-4) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

-3) amygdala

-4) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

-3) amygdala

-4) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex (receives input from

cingulate, orbital, & prefrontal cortex)

-2) anterior thalamus (to prefrontal, orbital,

& cingulate cortex)

-3) amygdala (via fornix)

-4) hypothalamus (via fornix)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Hippocampus

Functions:

-1) mediates formation of new declarative memories

-2) bilateral lesions impairs a patient’s ability to form new

memories

-3) lesions do not impair other memories, such as motor

adaptation or learning motor tasks like a finger maze or doing a

jigsaw puzzle.

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

Cingulate cortex

Inputs:

-1) VP (somatosensory) thalamus (pain)

-2) anterior thalamus (also to orbital cortex)

VP thalamus

spinothalamic tract

cingulate cortex

VP thalamus

spinothalamic tract

cingulate cortex

VP thalamus

spinothalamic tract

Cingulate cortex

Inputs:

-1) VP (somatosensory) thalamus (pain)

-2) anterior thalamus (also to orbital cortex)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Cingulate cortex

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex

-2) amygdala

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Cingulate cortex

Outputs:

-1) entorhinal cortex

-2) amygdala

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Cingulate cortex

Functions: -mediates emotional response to pain

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

Nucleus accumbens

Inputs:

-amygdala

Prefrontal

nucleus accumbens

Prefrontal

nucleus accumbens

Prefrontal

nucleus accumbens

Nucleus accumbens

Outputs:

-basal ganglia

Nucleus Accumbens

Functions: -referred to as emotional component of

the basal ganglia -mediates motivation and reinforcement,

i.e., REWARD -appears to be a major site of action for

may addictive drugs -these drugs increase dopamine in NA -blocking dopamine in NA strongly

reduces pleasure from these drugs

Nucleus Accumbens

Functions: -referred to as emotional component of

the basal ganglia -mediates motivation and reinforcement,

i.e., REWARD -appears to be a major site of action for

may addictive drugs -these drugs increase dopamine in NA -blocking dopamine in NA strongly

reduces pleasure from these drugs

Nucleus Accumbens

Functions: -referred to as emotional component of

the basal ganglia -mediates motivation and reinforcement,

i.e., REWARD -appears to be a major site of action for

may addictive drugs -these drugs increase dopamine in NA -blocking dopamine in NA strongly

reduces pleasure from these drugs

Nucleus Accumbens

Functions: -referred to as emotional component of

the basal ganglia -mediates motivation and reinforcement,

i.e., REWARD -appears to be a major site of action for

may addictive drugs -these drugs increase dopamine in NA -blocking dopamine in NA strongly

reduces pleasure from these drugs

Nucleus Accumbens

Functions: -referred to as emotional component of

the basal ganglia -mediates motivation and reinforcement,

i.e., REWARD -appears to be a major site of action for

may addictive drugs -these drugs increase dopamine in NA -blocking dopamine in NA strongly

reduces pleasure from these drugs

1)Hypothalamus

2)Amygdala

3)Hippocampus

4)Cingulate cortex

5)Nucleus accumbens

6)Septal nuclei

Septal Nuclei

Inputs:

-hippocampus (via fornix)

-amygdala

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Septal Nuclei

Outputs:

-hippocampus (via fornix)

-hypothalamus (via stria terminalis)

-amygdala (via medial forebrain bundle)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Septal Nuclei

Outputs:

-hippocampus (via fornix)

-hypothalamus (via stria terminalis)

-amygdala (via medial forebrain bundle)

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

Prefrontal

stria terminalis

Prefrontal

stria terminalis

Septal Nuclei

Outputs:

-hippocampus (via fornix)

-hypothalamus (via stria terminalis)

-amygdala (via medial forebrain bundle)

Septal Nuclei

Functions: -related to experience of pleasure

-electrical stimulation of the septal nuclei humans causes extreme feelings of pleasure and joy

-animals lever press for stimulation here to the exclusion of food

and sleep

-septal nuclei are more active during sexual orgasm

-provide Ach input to hippocampus and may mediate some memory function

-in some animals damage to septal nuclei cause “sham rage” in which animals become extremely violent and angry with little or no external stimuli

Papez Circuit

FIG U R E 14

Ende