Limbic system

the limbic system plays a crucial role in regulating emotions, learning, and memory as well as processing and responding to sensory information

Divisions of the brain

The brain is often described using a basic structure composing of three main areas – the hindbrain, midbrain and forebrain.

↘This is based on how the brain develops early in life.

↘Each area is associated with identifiable mental processes and behaviour. The more basic survival mechanisms develop earlier than the ‘higher order’ functions and are located deep within the brain.

The hindbrain (aka ‘lower brain’) supports involuntary bodily functions.

It includes the

↘medulla (controls vital survival functions e.g. breathing and heart rate)

↘pons (regulates sleep and arousal), and

↘part of the reticular formation

The cerebellum grows out of the hindbrain. It is involved in fine motor control, balance and coordination. 

The midbrain connects the hindbrain with the forebrain.  

↘It includes part of the reticular formation.

↘It regulates sleep, controls arousal levels, attention and
consciousness.

The forebrain is responsible for higher order thinking  processes, including problem-solving, planning,  memory, language and emotions.

It includes a number of important brain structures:

↘the cerebrum

•hippocampus

•amygdala,

•Hypothalamus, and

•the thalamus.

thalamus

↘The thalamus is a paired structure located in the forebrain which is superior (above) to the midbrain, near the center of the brain.

↘It receives all sensory information (except smell) and directs it to the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex.

hypothalamus

↘Primarily controls our endocrine system.

↘It is responsible for maintaining the body’s homeostasis.

↘It regulates autonomic functions associated with basic biological drives:  feeding, fight/flight, sleep and reproduction.

hippocampus

Functions of the hippocampus include:

↘Formation of new declarative / explicit (episodic and semantic) memories.

↘Consolidation (STM -> LTM) and recollection of declarative memory.

↘Spatial memory (cognitive map).

amygdala

↘Detecting and initiating response (flight or flight) to threats in the environment.

↘Emotion memory (particularly fear).

•How does your brain know something is a threat? It is learned by association through a process called classical conditioning.

↘Modulates emotional intensity

•The amygdala is also plays a role in modulating the intensity of positive emotions.