Major pathways from amygdala to the rest of the brain
- Ventral amygdalofugal pathway
- Stria terminalis (dorsal Amygdalofugal pathway)
- Lateral olfactory stria
- Anterior commissure
Function
- Central nucleus of the amygdala produces
- Autonomic components of emotion (e.g., changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration) primarily through output pathways to the lateral hypothalamus and brain stem.
- Conscious perception of emotion primarily through the ventral amygdalofugal output pathway to the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and prefrontal cortex.