Limbic system

A first definition: what do we mean by the limbic system?

The limbic system is a key region of the brain, responsible for a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and motivational functions in humans. This complex system is closely involved in the regulation of emotions, memoryMemory is a fundamental cognitive function that consists in ... More, motivationMotivation: a scientific perspective Motivation is a fundame... More, learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More, and instinctWhat is instinct and why does it continue to guide us even i... More control. It is essential for our ability to experience joy, fear, love, anger, and other emotions, influencing our behavior and cognitive processes.

Where the limbic system is located

The limbic system is primarily located in the central portion of the brain, between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex. It includes several interconnected neural structures that work together to coordinate our emotional and behavioral responses. Some of the main components of the limbic system are the hippocampusThe hippocampus is a part of the brain located in the inner ... More, amygdala"The amygdala is a gray matter structure named after its cha... More, hypothalamus, cingulate cortex, and thalamus.

How the limbic system works

The limbic system functions through complex interactions among its various structures. The hippocampus, for example, is involved in memory formation and processing, while the amygdala plays a crucial role in recognizing and interpreting emotions, particularly those related to fear and pleasure.

Important limbic structures

The main limbic structures include:

• Amygdala: responsible for emotional recognition and processing, especially fear and learning emotional responses. For further details, see the relevant Glossary entry.
• Hippocampus: involved in memory and spatial learning. For more details on the hippocampus, see the relevant Glossary entry.
• Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is a small but crucial brain structure that is part of the diencephalon, located in the lower part of the brain, just above the brainstem. Despite its small size, the hypothalamus plays a fundamental role in controlling numerous vital functions and regulating homeostasis, maintaining the body’s internal environment in a stable state. The hypothalamus regulates the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s automatic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. It is responsible for regulating body temperature and also controls fluid balance and thirst. Parts of the hypothalamus are involved in managing emotions and related behaviors, including those linked to hunger, thirst, aggression, and stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More response. The hypothalamus acts as a bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system, playing a key role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and other endocrine axes.
• Cingulate cortex: involved in emotion regulation and pain response. Again, readers are encouraged to consult the relevant Glossary entry for more details.

Puberty and the limbic system

Puberty marks the beginning of significant changes in the limbic system. During this developmental period, the limbic system undergoes structural and functional changes that influence an individual’s behavior and emotions. Hormonal fluctuations occurring during puberty can increase susceptibility to emotions and social experiences, contributing to more intense emotional reactions.

Part of the limbic system, the amygdala, is considered responsible for linking sensory information to emotional responses. Its development, along with hormonal changes, can lead to experiences of anger, fear, aggression (including self-directed), excitement, and newly intense sexual attraction. During adolescenceWhat is meant by adolescence? Adolescence is understood as t... More, the limbic system gradually comes under greater control of the prefrontal cortexThe prefrontal cortex plays a fundamental role in numerous p... More (an area associated with planning, impulse control, and higher-order thinking). As other brain regions begin to contribute to the emotional process, older adolescents gain some stability and find it easier to interpret others. Until then, they often misinterpret others, such as teachers and parents.