The caudate nucleus functions not only in planning the execution of movement, but also in learning, memory, reward, motivation, emotion, and romantic interaction. [1][2] Input to the caudate nucleus travels from the cortex, mostly the ipsilateral frontal lobe.

The substantia nigra (SN) is a midbrain dopaminergic nucleus which has a critical role in modulating motor movement and reward functions as part of the basal ganglia circuitry.

The putamen, combined with the globus pallidus, forms the lentiform nucleus; and with the caudate nucleus, it shapes the striatum, which is a subcortical structure that forms the basal ganglia.

basal ganglia

Medical Definition of caudate nucleus : the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that comprises a mass of gray matter in the corpus striatum, forms part of the floor of the lateral ventricle, and is separated from the lentiform nucleus by the internal capsule.

Reports of human patients with selective damage to the caudate nucleus show unilateral caudate damage resulting in loss of drive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stimulus-bound perseverative behavior, and hyperactivity.

In this page you can discover 13 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for caudate, like: caudated, urodele, caudate nucleus, acaudate, paraventricular, putamen, accumbens, thalamic, supraoptic, subthalamic and preoptic.

frontal lobe

The amygdaloid nucleus is functionally related to the limbic system and will not be considered further here. The other basal ganglia comprise the corpus striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen), globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra.

The basal ganglia (including the caudate nucleus, the putamen, the globus pallidus, and the substantia nigra) lie over and to the sides of the limbic system, and are tightly connected with the cortex above them. They are responsible for repetitive behaviors, reward experiences, and focusing attention.

structures of the brain …can be distinguished: (1) the caudate nucleus, (2) the putamen, (3) the globus pallidus, and (4) the amygdala. The basal ganglia of the limbic circuit, which processes information about motivation and emotion, include the nucleus…

When you feel threatened and afraid, the amygdala automatically activates the fight-or-flight response by sending out signals to release stress hormones that prepare your body to fight or run away. This response is triggered by emotions like fear, anxiety, aggression, and anger.

The amygdala helps control our fear response, but it also plays a crucial role in many other cognitive functions. Therefore, damage to the amygdala can cause serious problems, such as poor decision-making and impaired emotional memories.

Shown to perform a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making and emotional responses (including fear, anxiety, and aggression), the amygdalae are considered part of the limbic system. The term amygdala was first introduced by Karl Friedrich Burdach in 1822.

For example, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and autism have all been linked to amygdala pathology (Aggleton, 1992, 2000). Also, there is evidence of amygdala dysfunction in mood disorders (Davidson and Irwin, 1999; Drevets, 2000).

The scientists say their findings suggest that combat exposure may contribute to shrinking of the amygdala, which is in turn associated with increased anxious arousal.

A Larger Amygdala Can Equate to Higher Anxiety in Childhood The amygdala is an evolutionarily primitive part of the brain located deep in the temporal lobe. It comprises several subregions associated with different aspects of perceiving, learning, and regulating emotions.

temporal lobe

The amygdalae, a pair of small almond-shaped regions deep in the brain, help regulate emotion and encode memories—especially when it comes to more emotional remembrances.