amygdalas
Fear-processing brain nuclei
Amygdalas is a plural of amygdala, an almond-shaped cluster of neurons deep in the brain's temporal lobe.
The amygdala processes emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, and plays a role in forming emotional memories.
The more common plural is amygdalae, following Latin convention, but amygdalas appears in less formal contexts: Their amygdalas were lighting up on the brain scans.
Emotional brain structures
- hippocampusMemory formation region
- temporal lobeBrain section for hearing
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
fear response · threat detection · emotional processing · fight-or-flight · cortex · brainstem · prefrontal · grey matter
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- emotional memoryRecollection shaped by feelings
stress response · arousal · vigilance · facial recognition · empathy · emotional regulation · startle response · affective
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- anxiety disordersConditions causing excessive worry
- phobiasIrrational intense fears
- panic disorderRecurrent unexpected fear attacks
- social anxietyFear of being judged
depression · autism · psychopathy · borderline · trauma · hyperarousal · dysregulation · atrophy
Recollection shaped by feelings
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- encodingConverting data to format
- traumatic memoryDistressing event recall
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
extinction · reconsolidation · stress hormones · cortisol · adrenaline · PTSD
limbic system
Emotional brain structures
- hippocampusMemory formation region
- temporal lobeBrain section for hearing
- neuronsSignal-transmitting brain cells
synapses · fear response · threat detection · emotional processing · fight-or-flight · cortex · brainstem · prefrontal · grey matter · white matter
fear
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
emotional memory · stress response · arousal · vigilance · facial recognition · empathy · emotional regulation · startle response · affective · valence
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- anxiety disordersConditions causing excessive worry
- phobiasIrrational intense fears
- panic disorderRecurrent unexpected fear attacks
social anxiety · depression · autism · psychopathy · borderline · trauma · hyperarousal · dysregulation · atrophy · damage
emotional memory
Recollection shaped by feelings
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- encodingConverting data to format
- traumatic memoryDistressing event recall
flashbacks · extinction · reconsolidation · stress hormones · cortisol · adrenaline · PTSD