NEUROPHYS: LIMBIC SYSTEM (Behavioral Function) 1. Intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus.

2. Reticular nuclei.
Limbic System
- Excites cerebrum for relatively longer period
▪ “Border System”. – builds up w/ time.
▪ Consists of a rim of cortical tissues around the hilus
Ib. BRIA – Bulboreticular Inhibitory Area:
of cerebral hemispheres and a group of associated
deep structures. ▪ Inhibits BRFA – Bulboreticular facilitatory area.
▪ Functions: ▪ Tonic nerve signals via the s. cord → antigravity
1. Controls levels of activity in different parts of the muscles.
brain. ▪ Excitation of BRIA results to decreased activity in the
2. Controls motivation drives especially: superior portions of the brain.
- Learning process. ▪ Excites Serotonergic neurons which secrete
- Feelings of pleasure and punishment. SEROTONIN (inhibits neurohormones).

Ia. Activating-Driving Systems of the Brain: Neurohormonal Control of Brain Activity:

A. Brain stem. ▪ Through the releasee of neurohormones which are

B. Peripheral sensory system. neither excitatory or inhibitory to the brain.
C. Feedback signals from the Cerebrum. ▪ Provide long periods of control.
D. Thalamus.
Neurohormonal systems in the Human Brain:
A. Brain Stem 1. Norepinephrine system
▪ Concerned with the control of brain activity. ▪ Locus Ceruleus – Norepinephrine.
▪ Stimulates directly wide areas of brain through the ▪ Excites brain to generalized increase in sensitivity.
BRFA (Bulboreticular Facilitatory Area). ▪ Probably plays a role in causing REM sleep (dreaming
▪ BRFA sends signals to: type of sleep).
1. Spinal cord – maintain tone of antigravity 2. Dopamine system
muscles. ▪ Substantia nigra sends nerve endings mainly to:
- Control level of activity of spinal cord a. Caudate nucleus.
reflexes. b. Putamen.
2. All regions of Cortex & other subcortical
structures via Thalamus. *Both secrete dopamine.

▪ Dopamine inhibitory to the basal ganglia but

B. Peripheral Sensory Signals
▪ Determines level of activity of BRFA & therefore
the entire brain.
e.g., Pain signals→ ↑activity of brain stem
excitatory area (BRFA)
↓ spinal cord → SUPPRESS PAIN.
Strongly excites brain to attention.
C. Feedback signals from the Cerebrum
▪ E.g., Cerebral cortical activity (Thinking; Motor
processes)
excitatory to the other brain areas.
▪ Parkinson’s disease is due to destruction of
dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
3. Serotonin system
▪ Secreted by the Raphe nuclei → fibers sent to the
▪ Diencephalon & cerebral release of serotonin plays
an essential inhibitory role to help cause normal
sleep.
4. Acetylcholine (Ach) system
▪ Gigantocellular neurons (BRFA) of pons &
mesencephalon → excitation at specific synapses.

Other Neurotransmitters & Substances secreted in the

Brain:

1. Enkephalins.
2. GABA.
3. Glutamate.
D. Thalamus 4. Vasopressin.
▪ Distribution center that controls activity in 5. Adrenocorticotropic hormone.
specific regions of the Cortex. 6. Epinephrine.
▪ Reverberation of signals between thalamus, 7. Endorphins.
cerebral cortex = basis for establishing long-term 8. Angiotensin II.
memory. 9. Neurotensin.
▪ 2 types of signals passing via Thalamus:
Limbic System:
a. Rapidly transmitted action potentials
- Origin: Gigantocellular neurons → Ach: ▪ Controls vegetative functions of the brain which are
excites cortex for a few seconds only. closely related to behavior.
b. Slowly-transmitted action potentials ▪ Composed of:
- Origin: very small neurons (in large a. Center – HYPOTHALAMUS.
numbers), w/ very slowly conducting fibers b. Septum.
that synapse mainly at the: c. Para-olfactory area.
d. Epithalamus.
e. Anterior nucleus of thalamus.
f. Portions of basal ganglia.
g. Amygdala.
h. Hippocampus.
HYPOTHALAMUS – Center
▪ It has communicating pathways w/ all levels of
the Limbic system & to one of the most
important motor output pathways of the Limbic
System.
3 Directions of output signals:
1. Brainstem – many of behavioral functions
elicited by hypothalamus & other limbic
structures are mediated through reticular nuclei.
2. Diencephalon & Cerebrum, esp. thalamus &
limbic cortex.
3. Infundibulum – controls most secretory
functions of anterior & posterior pituitary
glands.
Functions of the Hypothalamus
1. Cardiovascular Regulation:
▪ Stimulation of different areas throughout the
hypothalamus can cause every known type of
neurogenic effect on the cardiovascular system,
including increased arterial pressure, decreased
arterial pressure, increased heart rate, and
decreased heart rate.
▪ In general, stimulation in the posterior and
lateral hypothalamus increases the arterial
pressure and heart rate.
▪ Stimulation in the preoptic area often has
opposite effects, causing a decrease in both
heart rate and arterial pressure.
▪ These effects are transmitted mainly through
specific cardiovascular control centers in the
reticular regions of the pons and medulla.
2. Regulation of body water thru:
a. Creating sensation of thirst.
b. Controlling excretion thru urine.
▪ Thirst center: lateral hypothalamus.
▪ Stimulus: high electrolytic concentration =
individual drinks enough water to return
concentration of thirst center neurons to
normal.
3. Regulation of body temperature
▪ The anterior portion of the hypothalamus,
especially the preoptic area, is concerned with
regulation of body temperature.
▪ An increase in the temperature of the blood
flowing through this area increases the activity of
temperature-sensitive neurons, while a decrease
in temperature decreases their activity.
▪ ↑temperature of blood = ↑activity of neurons
& ↓temperature = ↓neuronal activity.
4. Regulation of uterine contractility & milk ejection
by the breasts
▪ Oxytocin = synthesized in the paraventricular
nuclei of the hypothalamus and stored in the
posterior pituitary gland.
5. Regulation of GIT & feeding.
▪ Hunger center = lateral hypothalamus.
▪ Stimulus: extreme hunger.
▪ Satiety center: ventromedial nucleus signals one
that he or she is full already and stop eating.
*Bilateral destruction of Satiety center makes hunger
center overactive voracious appetite → OBESITY.
*Mamillary bodies: control feeding reflexes as licking
of lips & swallowing.
Other Behavioral Effects of Hypothalamus stimulation:
1. Lateral hypothalamus stimulation. General level
of activity in animals = leads to overt rage &
fighting.
2. Ventromedial nucleus & surrounding areas:
sense of satiety/ ↓eating/tranquility.
3. Thin zone of periventricular nerve & central gray
area of mesencephalon: fear & punishment
reactions.
4. Most anterior & posterior portions of
hypothalamus: sexual drive.
*Lesions in HT= in general causes opposite effects.
Reward & Punishment Function of the Limbic System:
▪ Affective nature of sensory stimulation.
1. Pleasant or Reward or Satisfaction.
2. Unpleasant or Punishment or Aversion.
Reward Centers:
▪ Major: along course of medial forebrain bundle
especially lateral & medioventral nucleus of
hypothalamus.
▪ Minor: septum, amygdala, certain areas of thalamus,
basal ganglia, basal tegmentation of mesencephalon.
Punishment Centers:
▪ Most potent: central gray area surrounding aqueduct
of Sylvius in mesencephalon & extends upward into
periventricular zones of hypothalamus & thalamus.
▪ Less potent: amygdala, hippocampus.
- Stimulation of punishment center = all signs
of displeasure like: fear/fervor/punishment.
- Prolonged stimulation for 24 hrs. = animal
becomes severely sick, resulting to death.
- Frequently inhibits reward & pleasure
centers completely, therefore punishment &
fear takes precedence.
Importance of Reward & Punishment:
▪ Behavior: reward or punishment greatly affects one’s
behavior.
▪ Reward & punishment (centers) constitute one of
the most important of all controllers of bodily
activities, drives, aversions & motivations.
▪ Tranquilizers – inhibitory to both centers; ↓affective
reactivity of animal.
Learning & Memory
▪ Habituation – repetitive stimulation with indifferent
stimulus = leads to almost complete excitation of
cortical response.
▪ Reinforcement – cortical response becoming more &
more intense w/ repeated stimulation by a stimulus
that causes either reward or punishment; animal
builds up strong memory traces.
*Therefore: Reward & punishment centers have
much to do w/ selecting the information we learn.
Rage
▪ An emotional pattern involving the hypothalamus &
other limbic structures.
▪ Rage patterns:
1. Animal develops a defense posture.
2. Extends its claws.
3. Lift its tail.
4. Hiss.
5. Spit.
6. Growl.
7. Develops piloerection.
8. Wide-open eyes.
9. Dilated pupils.
10. Savage attack w/ slightest provocation.
Center: Periventricular zone of hypothalamus or lateral
hypothalamus (strong stimulation).
▪ Rage is held in check by counterbalancing activity of
Ventromedial nucleus & other areas that help
suppress rage.
▪ Other areas that help suppress rage pattern include:
- Hippocampus.
- Amygdala.
- Anterior portions of limbic cortex especially
anterior cingulate gyrus.
- Sub callosal gyrus.
Placidity & Tameness
▪ Opposite to rage.
▪ Occurs when reward centers are stimulated.
Specific Functions of Other Parts of Limbic System:
1. Amygdala
▪ Complex nuclei immediately beneath cortex of
medial anterior pole of each temporal lobe.
▪ Has bidirectional connections w/ hypothalamus.
▪ Called the “window” through which limbic system
sees the place of the person in the world because of
its multiple connections w/ hypothalamus; temporal
lobe; parietal lobe; occipital lobe.
b. Involuntary movements
▪ Tonic movements such as raising head or bending of
body.
▪ Circling movements.
▪ Occasionally clonic, rhythmic movements.
▪ Movements associated w/ olfaction & eating.
c. Pattern of rage, escape, punishment & fear.
d. Reactions of reward & pleasure.
e. Sexual activities such as: erection; copulatory
movements; ejaculation; ovulation; uterine activity &
premature labor.
Overall function of Amygdala: help pattern persons’
behavioral response appropriate for each occasion.
KLUVER-BULCY SYNDROME:
▪ Results from the destruction of both anterior
portions of the temporal lobes & both Amygdala.
▪ Excessive tendency to examine objects only.
▪ Loss of fear → aggressiveness.
▪ Tameness.
▪ Change in dietary habits (e.g., Herbivores →
Carnivores).
▪ Psychic blindness (sometimes).
▪ Often excessive sex drives (animal attempts to
copulate w/ immature animals, wrong sex or of →
different species).
Hippocampus
▪ Provides the drive that causes translation of
immediate memory to secondary memory.
E.g., makes mind rehearse over & over new
information until permanent storage takes place.
▪ Absence of hippocampus: consolidation of long-term
memory of verbal or symbolic type does not take
place.
Limbic Cortex – for control of behavior.
a. Ablation of anterior temporal cortex bilaterally also
damages amygdala, Kluver-Bulcy Syndrome.
b. Ablation of posterior orbital – frontal complex:
insomnia; intense degree of motor restlessness.
c. Ablation of anterior cingulate gyri & subcallosal gyri:
animal becomes vicious & much more subjected to
fits of rage.

Stimulation of the Amygdala

a. Almost the same as those elicited by hypothalamus

stimulation.
▪ Increase or decrease in arterial pressure.
▪ Increase or decrease in heart rate.
▪ Increase or decrease in GIT motility & secretion.
▪ Defecation & micturition.
▪ Pupillary dilation or rarely constriction.
▪ Piloerection.
▪ Secretion of various anterior pituitary hormones.