The amygdaloid nuclear complex The amygdaloid nuclear complex is also a prominent temporal lobe structure, situated immediately

rostral to the hippocampus. It is conveniently divided into three groups of nuclei: corticomedial, central and basolateral, which receive largely olfactory, gustatory, and association cortical afferents respectively. These divisions also have more or less separable projections to the hypothalamus and septum, brainstem autonomic centres and ventral striatum. The amygdala is involved in the control of emotional behaviour and conditioned reexes. Its neuroanatomical connections are clearly appropriate for such a role, since it is in a position to affect emotional responses in endocrine, autonomic and motor domains. Destruction of the amygdala is particularly associated with reduced aggressive behaviour, whilst the very high density of benzodiazepine receptors here has suggested amygdaloid involvement in anxiety and stress and their treatments.