title: Columnar organization in the midbrain periaqueductal gray: modules for emotional expression?
abstract: Independent discoveries in several laboratories suggest that the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG), the cell-dense region surrounding the midbrain aqueduct, contains a previously unsuspected degree of anatomical and functional organization. This organization takes the form of longitudinal columns of afferent inputs, output neurons and intrinsic interneurons. Recent evidence suggests: that the important functions that are classically associated with the PAG--defensive reactions, analgesia and autonomic regulation--are integrated by overlapping longitudinal columns of neurons; and that different classes of threatening or nociceptive stimuli trigger distinct co-ordinated patterns of skeletal, autonomic and antinociceptive adjustments by selectively targeting specific PAG columnar circuits. These findings call for a fundamental revision in our concept of the organization of the PAG, and a recognition of the special roles played by different longitudinal PAG columns in co-ordinating distinct strategies for coping with different types of stress, threat and pain.
authors: Dept of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Bandler
authors: M T
authors: MT
authors: Shipley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*