Anatomic heterogeneity of the rat amygdaloid complex

The amygdala is a nuclear complex composed of 13 nuclei and cortical areas and their subdivisions. Tract-tracing studies performed over the past 20 years demonstrate that each nucleus is uniquely connected with other brain areas. Consistent with anatomic heterogeneity, the functions of the amygdala vary from attention to memory to formation of emotional responses to sensory stimuli. Here, we briefly review the principles of amygdaloid neuronal wiring that underlie the computations necessary to perform such complex behavioural functions.