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Corticolimbic Circuitry

Meaning

Corticolimbic circuitry refers to the interconnected neural network linking the prefrontal cortex with the limbic system, a critical anatomical substrate for the regulation of emotion, behavior, and cognitive control. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions, rational decision-making, and emotional regulation, while the limbic structures, such as the amygdala and hippocampus, are central to processing fear, memory, and affective responses. Dysfunction within this circuit is widely implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders, anxiety, and chronic stress. Maintaining balance in this circuitry is a core objective in neuropsychiatric treatment.