Neural architecture of the vertebrate brain: implications for the interaction between emotion and cognition

Cognition is considered a hallmark of the primate brain that requires a high degree of signal integration, such as achieved in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, it is often assumed that cognitive capabilities imply “superior” computational mechanisms compared to those involved in emotion or motivatio...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pessoa, Luiz, Medina Hernández, Loreta Mª, Hof, Patrick R., Desfilis, Ester
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Repositorio:Repositori Obert UdL
OAI Identifier:oai:repositori.udl.cat:10459.1/72697
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.021
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/72697
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Vertebrate brain
Integration
Basal ganglia
Amygdala
Emotion
Cognition
Descripción
Sumario:Cognition is considered a hallmark of the primate brain that requires a high degree of signal integration, such as achieved in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, it is often assumed that cognitive capabilities imply “superior” computational mechanisms compared to those involved in emotion or motivation. In contrast to these ideas, we review data on the neural architecture across vertebrates that support the concept that association and integration are basic features of the vertebrate brain, which are needed to successfully adapt to a changing world. This property is not restricted to a few isolated brain centers, but rather resides in neuronal networks working collectively in a context-dependent manner. In different vertebrates, we identify shared large-scale connectional systems involving the midbrain, hypothalamus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and amygdala. The high degree of crosstalk and association between these systems at different levels supports the notion that cognition, emotion, and motivation cannot be separated – all of them involve a high degree of signal integration.