Abstract
This paper is a biased review of the literature pertaining to the peculiarities of the electrical activity of the amygdala, and to its modification by certain chemicals. We have concerned ourselves less with what drugs in general do to the amygdala than with their use as physiological tools, so that we may begin unraveling the complexities of synaptic transmission in this locus of the brain. The reasons for our choice of place are fairly simple; it is there, and it must be of some evolutionary value as it increases in relative volume, while the hippocampus slowly shrinks and recedes into the lateral ventricle. Also, the electrical activity of the amygdala is rather peculiar, and it exhibits some fascinating relationships to overt behavior and neuroendocrine and autonomic mechanisms. It receives a variety of sensory data, and we know very little about the purpose of this convergence. It is certainly a more exciting place for physiologists than the dull striatum so heavily favored these days.
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Eidelberg, E., Woodbury, C.M. (1972). Electrical Activity in the Amygdala and its Modification by Drugs. Possible Nature of Synaptic Transmitters. A Review. In: The Neurobiology of the Amygdala. Advances in Behavioral Biology, vol 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8987-7_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8987-7_23
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