Papez circuit

The Papez circuit is a 1937 developed by James W. Papez theory which attempted a neuro- functional explanation for the emergence of emotions for the first time. In this concept, the corpus mamillare takes a central role. 1949 corrected Paul MacLean Papez 's ideas and introduced the concept of the limbic system.

When Papez circuit is a chain of neurons with the following course:

• The hippocampus projected via the fornix to the mammillary bodies.
• From here, the neurons project via the fasciculus mamillothalamicus (also called " Vicq- d'Azur bundle " called ) in the anterior nuclei of the thalamus, and from there via the optic tract thalamocingularis the cingulate gyrus.
• By connecting the cingulate gyrus to the hippocampus of the circuit is closed.

Although only a small fraction of the fibers from the hippocampus returns to this, the loop is aligned.

This loop is regulated by the neocortex, which is bidirectionally connected to the cortex of the cingulate gyrus. This can result to retrieve previously saved and come for storing new information. In the neocortex also the emotion is given a personal color and thus rated subconsciously.

The neuron circuit is used to maintain recent memory content, which is the primary transported in the secondary, respectively tertiary memory. Failures, individual parts already one of the members of this circle ( parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, fornix, mammillary bodies, anterior nucleus of the thalamus ) can cause anterograde amnesia, preserved in long-term memory.