Amygdala threat circuitry
Exaggerated responses to trauma reminders.
PTSD anatomy highlights amygdala threat circuitry, vmPFC regulation, hippocampal context and brainstem/insula arousal nodes.
Educational neuroscience context only — not medical advice, diagnosis or a substitute for emergency or clinical care. If you are in crisis, seek local emergency services or a licensed clinician.
Structures
Ventromedial PFC
Safety signalling and extinction support often weakened.
Hippocampus
Contextual tagging of “then versus now”.
Dorsal ACC / salience
Conflict and threat monitoring under hypervigilance.
Insula
Interoceptive awareness of bodily alarm.
Locus coeruleus / brainstem
Noradrenergic drive behind startle and insomnia.
Pathways
Amygdala–vmPFC extinction path
Supports new safety learning when intact.
Hippocampal–amygdala context
Binds threat to place and time.
Salience network loops
Maintain hypervigilant scanning.
HPA / autonomic effectors
Stress hormone and autonomic cascades.
Landmarks
Trauma script / imagery
Clinical and research probes of intrusion biology.
Fear conditioning / extinction
Lab models of threat learning deficits.
Startle / skin conductance
Psychophysiology of hyperarousal.
CAPS / PCL assessment
Structured symptom measurement — not DIY.
Open atlas neighbours: amygdala, hippocampus, vmPFC, insula.
Sources & research
- Post-traumatic stress disorderPrimer on PTSD mechanisms and care.DOI
- Biological studies of post-traumatic stress disorderBiological synthesis of PTSD findings.DOI
- Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderClinical review of PTSD.DOI
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