The Amygdala: A Functional Analysis

by John P. Aggleton (Editor)

The amygdala is a central component of the limbic brain system and is known to be vital to understanding aspects of emotions, memory and social behavior. Dysfuction of the structure is also thought to contribute to a variety of disorders, including autism, Alzheimer's Disease and schizophrenia. The nature of its contribution to these fundamental aspects of behavior and cognition, and its relationship with other regions of the brain has remained elusive. However, since Aggleton's first book on the subject - The Neurobiological Aspects of Emotion, Memory, and Mental Dysfunction (1992) - there have been some major advances in our understanding of the processes involved and a dramatic rise in the volume of research. Scientists are now able to define its contribution in an increasingly precise manner. Leading experts from around the world have contributed chapters to this comprehensive and unique review, describing current thinking on the enigmatic brain structure. This book
for all those with an interest in the neural basis of emotion and memory.

712 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2000

Reviews

[Dr. George H. Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amygdala has fascinated me since I did my doctoral work, and this picks up where my research left off. The functional analysis is based on both animal and human studies, which is the common approach taken in these kinds of texts. The pathway work is breifly discussed and very interesting, especialy as it relates to tertiary brain area interfaces (e.g., frontal areas) with various aspects of the amygdala. Here we find many possible causes for a wide range of affective disorders, and I found this very useful. The hippocampal recipricol pathways with the amygdala are also well detailed, and here one ponders about LTM formation and affective links, as we see in PTSD. This too is addressed, and it could help trauma victims if the work was made, perhaps, a bit more accessible for lay audiences. Yet this is not a critisism of the book, for its audience is for those who are well versed in the neurociences. Overall, a great contribution to the field.

[Stacietaylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, I'm a nerd.