Science is Fun Fridays!
We know that the cerebellum coordinates muscle movements, but researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that it also plays an important role in remembering emotional experiences.
The cerebellum is part of the hindbrain, sometimes called the primitive brain, so this information makes sense from a survival standpoint.
Higher up, the amygdala is known for its role in processing emotions. It is, in fact, activated by emotions, then facilitates the storage of information in the cerebrum.
Participants were shown positive, negative, and neutral images while the researchers recorded their brain activity using MRI. It was during the memory test that they saw increased activity in the cerebellum, related to the improved storage of the emotional images.
They also saw that the cerebellum showed stronger communication with various areas, such as the cingulate gyrus, which is important in the perception and evaluation of feelings.
These findings may help in further understanding and treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Comments
Post a Comment