title: The fornix and limbic system.
abstract: The limbic system is predominantly involved in memory and emotional output. Its 2 principle components are the hippocampus (involved in memory as part of the Papez circuit) and the amygdala (involved in emotional responses, memories and drives). The principle clinical manifestations of limbic disease are epilepsy, confusional states, and cognitive impairment. The connections of the limbic system are widespread and are now becoming visible on diffusion tensor imaging. Many different diseases may affect the limbic system. An appreciation of its functional anatomy along with its white matter tract connections improves assessment of infiltrative disease in particular. Small lesions in the Papez circuit may have devastating neuropsychological consequences. An active search strategy based on the knowledge presented in this paper will increase the likelihood of making an accurate diagnosis for patients affected by these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospitals and Geneva University Medical School, Geneva Switzerland. Electronic address: karl-olof.lovblad@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Karl-Olof
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Lövblad
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals and Geneva University Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospitals and Geneva University Medical School, Geneva Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Vargas
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases; D063132:Connectome / Q000379:methods; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D020712:Fornix, Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000473:pathology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*