Neural

• What is the limbic system?


  The limbic system is the emotional centre of the brain.  It is located lower in the brain. Together, the hippocampus, amygdala and the hypothalamus make up the limbic system
• A is the hypothalamus

  B is the amygdala (pituitary gland)

  C is the frontal cortex

  D is the corpus collosum

  E is the cerebellum

  
• What is the role of the hypothalamus?

  • Controls the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones.

  • It produces aggression
• What is the role of the hippocampus?

  • The hippocampus is the main part of the brain involved in storing long-term memories

  • It accesses memories to decide whether an event is threading — helps determine the meaning of events.

  • The hippocampus sends information stored in our memory to the amygdala
• What is the role of the thalamus?


  Relays sensory and motor signals to the neocortex and regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
• What is the role of the amygdala?

  • Determines the emotional meaning of events in the environment and decides whether an event is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ — decides when we need to be aggressive.

  • If the events are bad or dangerous, then the amygdala sends nerve impulses to the hypothalamus, causing it to produce aggressive behaviour.

  • It is located deep inside the brain
• What is the role of the frontal cortex?

  • Sends electrical signals to inhibit neurons in the amygdala

  • If the frontal cortex is damaged then the amygdala keeps sending impulses to the hypothalamus and the brain continues to produce aggressive behaviour

  • The frontal cortex prevents aggression
• What is the name of the part of the brain that is involved in controlling the fight or flight response as well as producing aggression?

  The hypothalamus
• What is the role of serotonin?


  • It reduces nerve impulses sent to the hypothalamus

  • Inhibits neurons in the amygdala

  • Reduces the likelihood of aggressive behaviour
• More activity in the amygdala leads to aggression