Word: amygdala
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...York University and Lars Terenius of Uppsala, Sweden, announced almost simultaneously the discovery of specific receptors for such opiates in the brain. Snyder's lab located a high density of receptors in the medial thalamus, an area of the brain responsible for registering deep sustained pain; in the amygdala, a region of the brain's limbic system that plays a role in controlling emotion; and in the spinal cord...
...mind chemicals also hold promise for controlling emotional pain. Because the emotion-controlling amygdala region of the brain is rich in enkephalin receptors, scientists speculate that the molecules may act as a defense against disappointments and trauma. At the Salk Institute, Floyd Bloom is studying the possibility that endorphins may be involved in the pleasure received from alcohol and opiates. Once a person begins taking heroin, say, the natural production of endorphins may decrease. Thus, if addicts try to go cold turkey, the agony of withdrawal is severe. If scientists can create nonaddictive chemicals that bind, like the opiates...
...enkephalins appear also to affect emotions. In mapping receptor sites Snyder found that the amygdala, a small portion of the brain that has no known role in physical pain but plays a major part in regulating the emotions, is unusually rich in opiate receptors. Thus variations in the number of receptors, or in the concentration of enkephalins?or the presence of narcotics?at these sites may affect emotions and behavior. Said Kosterlitz at the Manhattan award presentation: "The discovery of the enkephalins resembled the opening of Pandora's box, hopefully this time for the benefit of mankind...
Growing out of the spinal cord like the crown of a tree out of its trunk, the brain has several major components (see diagram page 52). The limbic system, an area that surrounds the head of the brain stem and includes such structures as the amygdala, part of the thalamus, hypothalamus and hippocampus, regulates the emotions. The pituitary, which hangs down from the brain stem like an olive from the tree, produces the hormones that influence growth and development. The cerebellum, a fist-sized structure at the rear of the brain that controls movements and coordination, enables man to touch...
Psychosurgery involves the destruction of a small section of brain--known as the amygdala--which supposedly controls aggressive behavior. A number of methods can be used to destroy the tissue, including ultrasound or laser beams. Only a very small section of tissue, about 1/600 of an inch, is damaged in the process...