Limbic System

Robert L Isaacson, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA

Published online: July 2003

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0000155

The limbic system is a set of neural structures lying underneath the neocortex and gathered around the deep medial portions of the forebrain. The nuclei and primitive cortical areas of the limbic system are critically important for the satisfaction of the essential needs of the individual, including those of sustenance, procreation, self-protection and the protection of offspring.

Keywords: hippocampus; amygdala; septal area; cingulate cortex; hypothalamus

 Further Reading
    book Alheid GF, de Olmos JS and Beltramino CA (1995) "Amygdala and extended amygdala". In: Paxinos G (ed.) The Rat Nervous System, 2nd edn, pp. 495–578. San Diego: Academic Press.
    Ikemotot S and Panskepp J (1999) The role of nucleus accumbens dopamine in motivated behaviour: a unifying interpretation with special reference to reward-seeking. Brain Research Reviews 31: 6–41.
    book MacLean PD (1989) Brain in the Triune Evolution. New York: Plenum Press.

Related Sub-Topics:

Drugs and the Brain | Organisation of Memory Systems | Organisation of the Nervous System
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Article Title: Limbic System
 
How to Cite close
Isaacson, Robert L(Jul 2003) Limbic System. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0000155]