Amygdala

The amygdala is an almond-shaped group of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain. It is a principal component of the limbic system and is essential for the processing of emotions, including fear, anxiety, and aggression, as well as for emotional learning and memory. The amygdala consists of multiple subnuclei (including basolateral, central, medial, and cortical nuclei), each with distinct connections, functions, and cell-type compositions. Its dysfunction or abnormal structure is linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. The amygdala is not a single molecular entity but a highly complex anatomical and functional region, which receives and sends projections to many areas of the brain.

Other names

Amygdaloid complexAmygdaloid nucleus