The Amygdala : A Functional Analysis

This title analyses functions of the amygdala, the brain structure that governs the ways in which our emotions affect our actions and our memories, and how we interact socially. It is also thought that malfunctions of the amygdala contribute to a number of disorders affecting personality, for example Alzheimer's disease, autism and schizophrenia.

The amygdala is a central component of the limbic brain system and is known to be vital to understanding aspects of emotion, memory and social behaviour. Dysfunction 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 behaviour and cognition, and its relationship with other regions of the brain has remained elusive. However, since Aggleton''s first book on the subject - The Amygdala: Neurobiological Aspects of Emotion, Memory, and Mental Dysfunction (1992) - there have been 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 this enigmatic brain structure. This is a book for all those with an interest in the neural basis of emotion and memory.