GLOSSARY

The amygdala is an almond-shaped cluster of nuclei in the medial temporal lobe, in front of the hippocampus, that plays a key role in rapid threat detection, the fear response, fear learning, and adding emotional weight to memory.

Functions

• Threat detection: receives information from the thalamus by two routes: a fast route (direct and unconscious) and a slow route (via the cortex, more accurate).
• Activating the stress response: through the hypothalamus (the sympathetic system and HPA axis) and the brainstem (freezing and the startle response).
• Emotional memory: emotional events are remembered more strongly.
• Social processing: recognising facial expressions (especially fear).

Regulation of the Amygdala

The prefrontal cortex inhibits and regulates amygdala activity; this ability is the basis of emotional control