PSYC 3250 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex, Periaqueductal Gray, Medial Vestibular Nucleus
13 May 2015
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Document Summary
Long-term, repeated activation of the emergency fight-or-flight system, accompanied by chronic release of glucocorticoids, can induce hippocampal damage: hypothalamus - the diencephalic structure that sits just below the anterior portion of the thalamus. It plays a role in motivated behaviors, in part by controlling the pituitary gland: thalamus - the large, two-lobed diencephalic structure that constitutes the anterior end of the brain stem. Many of its nuclei are sensory relay nuclei that project to the cortex: periaquaductal gray - the gray matter around the cerebral aqueduct that contains opiate receptors and activates a descending analgesia circuit. The periaqueductal gray may organize defensive attacks in animals: prefrontal cortex - the areas of the frontal cortex that are anterior to the frontal motor area. Cognitive appraisal of stressful situations involves the medial prefrontal cortex, which interacts with the amygdala. Integration of components of fear is controlled by amygdala.
