The Limbic System and the Hypothalamus The Limbic System

(Behavioral and Motivational Mechanisms of

the Brain) Hypothalamus
 One of the central element of the limbic
Activating – Driving Systems system

Driver of Brain Activity Vegetative Functions

 Reticular Excitatory Area of the Brain  Body temperature
Stem  Osmolality of the body fluids
 Pons Bulboreticular  Drives to eat and drink
 Mesencephalon facilitory area  Control body weight

Excitation of the Reticular Excitatory Area Hypothalamus

 By peripheral Sensory Signals  Wt.4gm
 Pain  To the reticular area of the brain stem –
ANS
The Thalamus  Cortex (anterior thalamus and limbic
 A distribution center that controls activity in portions)
specific regions of the cortex  Hypothalamic infundibulum – pituitary
- Thirst
Reticular Inhibitory Area - Hunger
 Medulla – contains medullary reticular - Emotional Drives
area/nuclei
 Serotonin – secreting neurons Vegetative and Endocrine Control

Neurohormonal Control of Brain Activity Posterior

(Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin,  Dorsomedial nucleus
Acetylcholine) - GI Stimulation
 Posterior hypothalamus
Norepinephine - Increased blood pressure
 Locus Ceruleus - Pupillary dilation
 Excitatory – mostly - Shivering
 Inhibitory – some  Perifornical nucleus
Dopamine - Hunger
 Substantia Nigra - Increased blood pressure
 Excitatory – some - Rage
 Inhibitory – basal ganglia  Ventromedial nucleus
Serotonin - Satiety
 Raphe nuclei - Neuroendocrinecontrol
 Cord – suppress pain
Inhibitory – sleep
Acetylcholine Anterior
 Gigantocellular neuron  Paraventricular nucleus
 Reticular excitatory area - Oxytocin release
 Reticulus spinal tract down to the - Water conservation
spinal cord - Satiety
 Medial preoptic area
 - Bladder contraction Circadian Rhythms
- Decreased heart rate  The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)
- Decreased blood pressure - Serves as master clock of the body
 Posterior preoptic and anterior with the phase maker frequency
hypothalamic areas follows rhythm.
- Body temperature regulation - This phase maker function is critical
- Panting to organize to sleeping and waking.
- Sweating - Schedules everything.
- Thyrotropin inhibition
 Optic chiasm (optic nerve) Behavioral Functions – stimulation
 Supraoptic nucleus (vasopressin release)  Lateral hypothalamus
 Infundibulum - Thirst, eating, increased general
activity (combative)
Cardiovascular Regulation  Ventromedial nucleus – satiety
 Posterior and lateral – increase arterial decreased eating, tranquility
pressure and HR  Periventricular nuclei – fear and
 Preoptic area – decrease arterial punishment reaction
pressure and HR  Sexual drive – several areas (ant. And
post.)
Body Temperature Regulation
 Preoptic area Behavioral Functions – lesions
 Hypothalamus – is the temperature set Lesions means damage
point  Lateral hypothalamus
- Decreased drinking and eating, loss
Body Water Regulation of overt.
 Thirst – centers in the lateral  Ventromedial
hypothalamus – excessive drinking and eating,
 Control water content in urine hyperactivity, violence
- supraoptic nuclei
- ADH/anti-diuretic hormone “Reward” and “Punishment”
(vasopressin) Function of the Limbic System

Uterine Contractility and Milk Ejection Reward Centers

 Paraventricular nuclei – oxytocin  Lateral and ventromedial nuclei
 Less potent centers
Gastrointestinal and Feeding Regulation - Septum, amygdala, thalamus and
 Hunger Centers – one or in lateral basal ganglia, and mesencephalon.
hypothalamus Punishment Centers
 Satiety center – ventromedial nuclei  Most potent
 Mammillary bodies – feeding reflex, ie. - Central gray area surrounding the
Licking of lips, swallowing aqueduct or sylvius
- Periventricular zones
Control of the Anterior Pituitary Gland  Less potent punishment
Hypothalamus is also known as master gland - Amygdala and hippocampus
because its actually source of all the stimulatory
and inhibitory signals in order for us to release Association of Rage with Punishment Centers
hormones.  Strong Stimulation – rage
  Inhibited by ventromedial nuclei - Fearlessness
 Stimulation of the periventricular - Extreme curiosity
- Forgets rapidly
Placidity and Tameness - Tendency to place everything in its
Placid means peaceful mouth
 Stimulation of reward centers - Strong sex drive

Importance of Reward or Punishment on

Behavior
 Reward – continue to do
 Punishment – stop

Effect of Tranquilizers on the Reward or

Punishment center
 Inhibits both reward and punishment
center

Reward or Punishment in Learning and Memory

 Habituation – ignored
 Reinforcement/ sensitization – stronger
response

Specific Functions of Other Parts of the Limbic

System

Hippocampal Formation
 Hippocampus
 Adjacent temporal lobe
 Adjacent pariental lobe

Role of the Hippocampus in Learning

 Anterograde amnesia – bilateral
removal

Amygdala
 Tonic movements, such as raising the
head or bending the body
 Circling movements
 Occasionally clonic, rhythmical
movements
 Different types of movements
associated with olfaction and eating,
such as licking, chewing, and
swallowing.

Bilateral Ablation of the Amygdala

 Kluver – Bucy Sydrome