PSC 154 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Central Nucleus Of The Amygdala, Social Emotions, Brainstem
Document Summary
Outputs of the central nucleus of the amygdala. Central nucleus of the amygdala outputs regulate parts of the fear response. * autonomic, behavioral, & hormonal response can all be controlled by the central nucleus of the amygdala (bah) We are not sure if subjective experience can be controlled by the central nucleus of amygdala. The convergence of (ucs and cs) stimuli occurs in lateral nucleus of the amygdala, leading to synaptic plasticity in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. The lateral amygdala connects through local direct and indirect circuits to the central nucleus of the amygdala. The central nucleus of the amygdala then connects with hypothalamic and brainstem areas that control the expression of conditioned fear responses, including freezing and autonomic sympathetic and hormonal responses. The shock is a strong stimulus & always produces lateral amygdala activity. After several pairings, the tone alone now induces action potentials in the lateral amygdala neuron. Threat - learning requires the amygdala in rodents.
