The Neural Basis of Emotion

1. Limbic System 

The limbic system is the brain's emotional system. James Papez proposed the Paper Circuit, built on the Cannon-Bard theory and made up of the following structures: sensory cortex, cingulate cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and thalamus. 

2. Amygdala 

This is the greek word for "almond." The human brain has 2 of these almond shaped structures situated in the medial temporal lobe. They are made up of two groups of nuclei: the corticomedial nuclei (olfaction), and the bastolateral nuclei, (afferent and efferent connections to various brain structure-hypothalamus). 

This is the central structure in our ability to preserve ourselves and respond to environmental danger. The specific behaviors it regulates are: feeding and drinking, fighting, mating, maternal care, and response to physical/environmental stress.

Damage to the amygdala can cause flattened emotions, abnormal fear, aggression, and anxiety. Dysfunction may be connected to depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

3. The Cingulate Cortex

It is an arch-shaped band of cortical tissue between the corpus callosum and the lobes of the brain. Functionally, it helps in identifying negative emotions and resolving emotional conflict. Damage to the cingulate cortex can result in decreased social behavior, reduced time spend with others, and decreased vocalizations. 

4. Limbic Cognitive Connection

There are numerous connections between the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. The cingulate cortex does appear to play a role in cognition, such as attention and theory of mind (ToM). Theory of Mind is the ability to understand that I have a mind, you have a mind, and that our minds are different from one another.