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Amygdala Case Study

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Amygdala Case Study
Measurements of brain and hormone activity in PTSD patients can help inform Western medical treatments, psychotherapy and Chinese Medicine alike. Aside from the impact on pharmacological studies, brain activity can provide insight into new therapies like EMDR and neurofeedback. Clinical studies regarding the biological mechanisms of acupuncture indicate that that acupuncture may be of particular use. (Hollfield 2007)

Amygdala
Overwhelmingly, the amygdala shows an increase in reactivity, mostly right sided, during a triggered state or re-experience of trauma. The amygdala is part of the limbic system and is located deep in the temporal lobes. The right side amygdala regulates aspects of fear and memory. Fear is a productive emotion when one is in danger, as the impulse to fight or flee could be lifesaving. But if one is safe and still firing off fear signals, this can be counterproductive for emotional and physical health. Likewise, the fire alarm that echoes through a building at the slightest hint of smoke or steam from the stovetop – may cause more harm than good. (Bremner 2007) …show more content…
It inhibits the stress response and emotional reaction as it links up with the amygdala. In PTSD patients, activity in the mPFC is diminished; so that the mPFC is not able to adequately “quiet” the stress response. The mPFC is also the reasoning, rational mind. Fire? Where? Let’s find it and put that out. No fire? Let’s deactivate that annoying alarm. In a PTSD patient, the fire is always raging – even when it’s not. (Bremner
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