Periamygdaloid cortex (or periamygdalar area) is a portion of the rhinencephalon consisting of paleocortex. It is a cortical-like nucleus of the amygdaloid complex. Though considered a nucleus, the periamygdalar area is more commonly associated with cortex due to its layered structure and location on the outer surface of the brain.[1]
The periamygdaloid cortex is located on the dorsal surface of the brain bordered by the piriform cortex, entorhinal cortex, perirhinal cortex, periamygdalar claustrum, and anterior amygdaloid area.[2] Its ventromedial and dorsolateral borders are defined by the first myelin bundle of the external capsule, while its remaining borders show no myelinated fiber projections or inputs as well as a higher density of acetylcholinesterase and cholinergic synapses than the neighboring anterior amygdaloid area.[2]
The periamygdaloid cortex plays a role in olfaction,[3] and recent studies have shown that it may be involved in many more processes including opiate addiction,[4] assessment of negative emotions,[5] and depression.[4] Additionally, it has been suggested that the left periamygdalar region may play a role in yawning.[6]
^Sah, P.; Faber, E. S. L.; Lopez De Armentia, M.; Power, J. (July 2003). "The amygdaloid complex: anatomy and physiology". Physiological Reviews. 83 (3): 803–834. doi:10.1152/physrev.00002.2003. ISSN0031-9333. PMID12843409.
^Majak, Katarzyna; Pitkänen, Asia (2003). "Projections from the periamygdaloid cortex to the amygdaloid complex, the hippocampal formation, and the parahippocampal region: a PHA-L study in the rat". Hippocampus. 13 (8): 922–942. doi:10.1002/hipo.10134. ISSN1050-9631. PMID14750655. S2CID29706209.
^Kilts, Clinton D.; Egan, Glenn; Gideon, Deborah A.; Ely, Timothy D.; Hoffman, John M. (2003). "Dissociable Neural Pathways Are Involved in the Recognition of Emotion in Static and Dynamic Facial Expressions". NeuroImage. 18 (1): 156–168. doi:10.1006/nimg.2002.1323. PMID12507452. S2CID17223464.