1. Neuroscience Limbic System Dr. Michael P. Gillespie

2. Limbic System  The limbic system is located deep within the core of the brain.  It is a source of our raw emotions before they are modulated by our frontal lobes.  It is a storehouse for long-term memories, particularly memories that have a strong emotional component. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie2

3. Parts of the Limbic System  Hippocampus  Amygdalae  Anterior thalamic nuclei  Septum  Limbic cortex  Fornix Dr. Michael P. Gillespie3

4. Functions of the Limbic System  Emotion  Behavior  Motivation  Long-term memory  Olfaction Dr. Michael P. Gillespie4

5. Functions  The limbic system includes the hypothalamus, amygdala, and the hippocampus.  These structures are involved in motivation, emotion, learning, and memory.  The limbic system is where the subcortical structures meet the cerebral cortex.  The limbic system operates by influencing the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie5

6. Functions continued…  The limbic system is highly interconnected with the nucleus accumbens, which is the brains pleasure center.  It plays a role in sexual arousal and the “high” derived from certain recreational drugs.  The basal ganglia in the limbic system direct intentional movements. This region also controls posture and movement. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie6

7. Limbic  “limbic” comes from the Latin limbus for “border” or “edge”.  The limbic system forms the inner border of the cortex. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie7

8. Hippocampus and Associated Structures  Hippocampus  Amygdala  Fornix  Mammillary body Dr. Michael P. Gillespie8

9. Hippocampus  Formation of long-term memories.  Cognitive maps for navigation.  If the hippocampus is damaged, a person cannot build new memories. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie9

10. Amygdala  Signals the cortex of motivationally significant stimuli related to reward and fear.  Participates in social functions such as mating.  Stimulates the hippocampus to remember details surrounding an event or situation. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie10

11. Fornix  Carries signals from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and septal nuclei. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie11

12. Mammillary Body  Important for the formation of memory. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie12

13. Septal Nuclei  Interconnections between areas of the limbic system.  Pleasure zone in animals. Dr. Michael P. Gillespie13

14. Limbic Node  Parahippocampal gyrus  Formation of spatial memory  Cingulate gyrus  Autonomic functions  Heart rate, blood pressure  Cognitive and attentional processing  Dentate gyrus  Helps to formulate new memories Dr. Michael P. Gillespie14

15. Additional Limbic Structures  Entorhinnal cortex  Memory and associative components  Piriform cortex  Olfactory system  Fornicate gyrus  Encompasses the cingulate, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus  Nucleus accumbens  Involved in reward, pleasure, and addiction  Orbitofrontal cortex  Required for decision making Dr. Michael P. Gillespie15