Stress, memory and the amygdala.
Emotionally significant experiences tend to be well remembered, and the amygdala has a pivotal role in this process. But the efficient encoding of emotional memories can become maladaptive - severe stress often turns them into a source of chronic anxiety. Here, we review studies that have identified neural correlates of stress-induced modulation of amygdala structure and function - from cellular mechanisms to their behavioural consequences. The unique features of stress-induced plasticity in the amygdala, in association with changes in other brain regions, could have long-term consequences for cognitive performance and pathological anxiety exhibited in people with affective disorders.
Roozendaal
Benno
B
Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands. b.roozendaal@med.umcg.nl
McEwen
Bruce S
BS
Chattarji
Sumantra
S
D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D005938:Glucocorticoids