The limbic system is a functional unit in the area of the brain that is responsible for processing emotions. It consists of several parts of the brain that work closely together. Diseases can cause serious discomfort and should be treated promptly.
What is the limbic system?
The limbic system includes brain areas that are in close contact. Thereby, the term limbic system is historically characterized and partly controversial among scientists. Nevertheless, it has now been proven that the elements are important in the processing of information, emotions, and memories. Which structures participate in the processes, on the other hand, has not yet been perfectly clarified. Instead, the anatomical structure differentiates partly depending on the person describing. While taking over the processing of emotions and memories used to be attributed to the limbic system alone, scientists nowadays tend to believe that not only the limbic system can be held responsible for such processes. Rather, the processes are considered to be a product of the cooperation of several elements. Accordingly, there is no unified definition of the limbic system. Commonalities can only be found in the importance of the tasks that are handled within these processes.
Anatomy and structure
From an anatomical point of view, it can be assumed that the limbic system is present in a ring-shaped form in the brain, enclosing the basal ganglia and thalamus. Furthermore, the limbic system is divided into the following components: Hippocampus, fornix, corpus mamillare, gyrus cinguli, corpus amygdaloideum (amygdaloid nucleus), parts of the thalamus, gyrus parahippocampalis, septum pallucidum. The hippocampus is duplicated, existing in both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and evolutionarily is one of the oldest elements of the brain. It can be localized in the temporal lobe. The fornix connects the hippocampus and corpus mamillare. In the middle of the cerebral lobes, the corpus mamillare is located on the underside of the brain. The cingulate gyrus, on the other hand, represents an inner part of the brain. Its course follows from the anterior part to the posterior. Viewed on the micro level, various cells become evident here, through which the gyrus cinguli can be differentiated into two parts within the framework of the limbic system. The corpus amygdaloideum is located in the temporal lobe. The individual elements of the limbic system have different tasks and complement each other.
Function and tasks
The limbic system is responsible for processing emotions and drives. It recognizes and processes new stimuli and is a component for a functioning memory and recollections. At the same time, it regulates the autonomic nervous system and sensory stimuli such as pain or smells, which are transmitted to the brain in the form of stimuli via nerve pathways from other regions of the body. To ensure smooth functioning, the limbic system works closely with nerve cells in the area of the cerebral cortex in the form of an intensive exchange of information. This enables it to develop emotions and drives and to store events and other elements. In this way, the limbic system also succeeds in processing intellectual performance. In the process, the different components also take on differentiated tasks. For example, the hippocampus ensures that information from short-term memory is transferred to long-term memory and can thus be retrieved. While old information only needs to be processed, the hippocampus prepares new impressions for storage. The hippocampus and fornix work closely together in this regard. The corpus amygdaloideum is responsible for the development of anxiety and the evaluation of all information. The cingulate gyrus is responsible for spatial memory. In this area, different stimuli are weighed up, which are finally followed by an action. The stimuli are in opposition to each other, which must result in a decision regarding an action. Thus, the limbic system is not an organ, but a complex interaction of different elements in the brain.
Diseases
Given the important tasks of the limbic system, disorders and complaints are often severe. Here, the nature of the symptoms depends on the region of the problem.For example, people with a defective corpus amygdaloideum may exhibit a lack of fear. A loss of fear sensations can have consequences when affected individuals no longer perceive the natural warning and defense reactions in dangerous situations. Damage to this region can lead to depression, phobias, memory disorders and autism. Disorders in the hippocampal region, on the other hand, trigger Alzheimer’s disease. In the course of the disease, important nerve cells die off. In addition to memory and orientation disorders, difficulties of speech as well as thinking and forming adequate judgments occur. Changes in the elements of the limbic system come into question as an organic cause of schizophrenia and other personality changes. In such a case, there is reduced activity in the frontal brain, which in turn leads to the fact that fear and emotions are not processed properly. In addition, changes in the limbic system are capable of causing bipolar disorder. This is part of the affective disorders and is increasingly known to many people under the term manic-depressive disorder. Staggered in phases of varying length, depression and euphoria alternate. The diseases in the area of the limbic system are thus very diverse. As soon as the complex interaction of the elements is disturbed, tasks can no longer be performed properly. Instead, complaints occur, some of which cannot be treated.
Typical and common disorders
- Depression
- Phobia
- Memory lapses
- Autism
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
