What is the connection between Amygdala and memory?

Amygdala is a structure in the brain usually associated with emotional states. However, there is a strong connection between amygdala and memory. This part of the brain, which operates in conjunction with other parts of the limbic system, such as hippocampus, helps to regulate and coded emotional memories. Future behavior is often dictated by emotional memory. The combination of emotions, such as fear with a particular event, can help a person respond to dangerous stimuli or a sense of pleasure with a certain food can help lead the future diet choices.

There are two competitive theories as Amygdala helps emotional memory to create. Amygdala can, to some extent, directly encode emotional memory and work with hippocamp. Alternatively, it can provide an input for memory processing performed by the hippocamp. Some scientists have even suggested the integration of these theories, where the regulation of emotions and memory can actually be carried out by means of activity in both these. Amygdala and memory are closely linked, although Amygdala does not form memories themselves.

conditioning of the reaction of fear is an important combination between amygdal and memory, but this structure actually affects memory in other ways. Amygdala seems to regulate how other brain areas are codeing for long -term memories. When this part of the brain activates a greater degree of emotional excitement during the event, the event seems to be more coded and more easily remembered. This connection between Amygdala and memory could explain why people remember traumatic events more easily and than those without emotional content.

The ability of amygdala and memory to cooperate can be necessary for survival. It is also important to realize that too much connection and too easily remembering scary or traumatization events can be a deficit. One theory behind the post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is that stress stimuli or stimuli similar to initial traumatic events excessively activate amygdal. Individual with PTSD fromASE resembles a traumatization event along with the negative emotions that initially accompanied it. Similar activation could also be a feature of some forms of anxiety disorders.

Even positive emotions can facilitate storage of memories. The emotional excitement of any type leads to synchronized activity in Amygdale, which could be associated with an increased ability to create a neuronal connection. These reinforced connections can promote interaction that allows memories of memories. Larger amygdalae may have a greater ability to achieve this performance.