Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

How to Detect Amygdala Activity with Magnetoencephalography using Source Imaging
Published on: June 3, 2013
Rapid amygdala gamma oscillations in response to fearful facial expressions
Wataru Sato1, Takanori Kochiyama, Shota Uono
1The Hakubi Project, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan. sato@pri.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Neuroimaging studies have reported greater activation of the human amygdala in response to emotional facial expressions, especially for fear. However, little is known about how fast this activation occurs. We investigated this issue by recording the intracranial field potentials of the amygdala in subjects undergoing pre-neurosurgical assessment (n=6). The subjects observed fearful, happy, and neutral facial expressions. Time-frequency statistical parametric mapping analyses revealed that the amygdala showed greater gamma-band activity in response to fearful compared with neutral facial expressions at 50-150 ms, with a peak at 135 ms. These results indicate that the human amygdala is able to rapidly process fearful facial expressions.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Amygdala in Memory
One of the...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Physiology of Emotion
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Physiological Theories: James-Lange Theory of Emotion

