The Limbic System

The Limbic System consists of the limbic cortex, the hippocampus and the amygdala. It is a set of interconnected structures surrounding the core of the forebrain and it is better known as the emotional center controlling the following functions:

• Setting emotional tone
• Bonding
• Charged memories
• Smell
• Libido

Although the limbic system is best known for the control of emotions, it is now known that the hippocampus is more involved in learning and memory rather than emotional behavior.

Margaret Bauman (Harvard) who believes that a genetic defect occurring before the middle of the second trimester of pregnancy leads to the onset of autism, studied 11 autistic brains and concluded that cells in the limbic system of autistic brains were 1/3 smaller than normal, they were excessive in number and also immature with stunted connections.

Problems in the Limbic system result in:

• Moodiness
• Depression and negative thoughts
• Low motivation
• Social Isolation
• Poor memory
• Loss of previously learned material

Medications that are useful for the limbic system include Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin (if there are no Cingulate Gyrus problems, or Effexor (if there are also Cyngulate Gyrus problems), as well as the SSRI medications.