The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour

Volume: 26 Number: 1 December 6, 2010
  • Lee Wei Lim
  • Arjan Blokland
  • Veerle Visser-vandevalle
  • Harry Steinbusch
  • Yasin Temel
EN

The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour

Abstract

Recent findings on the different functional properties of the neuroanatomical columnar subdivision of the Periaqueductal Gray (PAG) have provided a fundamental understanding for the pathophysiology of panic and anxiety disorder. In this review, we focus mainly on the prominent role of the PAG in defensive behaviour by combining both the behavioural and neuroanatomical data. We have applied the theoretical model of the “two dimensional defence system” by McNaughton and Corr (2004), and thereby constituted an organizational structure on the neuronal circuitry of the different brain regions in relation with this panic- and fear-like behaviour. It has become clear that the dorsal and lateral PAG are involved in the active emotional coping (fight and flight reaction), whereas the ventrolateral PAG is responsible for the passive emotional coping (quiescence/freezing). In this regard, the PAG and other related brain structures are working in concert with different neurotransmitters providing animals with defensive strategies in response to predatory threats. The functional roles of the PAG in these behaviours as characterized in animals warrants further translational studies in humans which may eventually lead to novel approaches in anxiety- and panic-related disorders.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

-

Authors

Lee Wei Lim This is me

Arjan Blokland This is me

Veerle Visser-vandevalle This is me

Harry Steinbusch This is me

Yasin Temel This is me

Publication Date

December 6, 2010

Submission Date

November 23, 2009

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2009 Volume: 26 Number: 1

APA
Lim, L. W., Blokland, A., Visser-vandevalle, V., Steinbusch, H., & Temel, Y. (2010). The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 26(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420
AMA
1.Lim LW, Blokland A, Visser-vandevalle V, Steinbusch H, Temel Y. The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2010;26(1):1-26. doi:10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420
Chicago
Lim, Lee Wei, Arjan Blokland, Veerle Visser-vandevalle, Harry Steinbusch, and Yasin Temel. 2010. “The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal Columns to Defensive Behaviour”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 26 (1): 1-26. https://doi.org/10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420.
EndNote
Lim LW, Blokland A, Visser-vandevalle V, Steinbusch H, Temel Y (December 1, 2010) The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 26 1 1–26.
IEEE
[1]L. W. Lim, A. Blokland, V. Visser-vandevalle, H. Steinbusch, and Y. Temel, “The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour”, J. Exp. Clin. Med., vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 1–26, Dec. 2010, doi: 10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420.
ISNAD
Lim, Lee Wei - Blokland, Arjan - Visser-vandevalle, Veerle - Steinbusch, Harry - Temel, Yasin. “The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal Columns to Defensive Behaviour”. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi 26/1 (December 1, 2010): 1-26. https://doi.org/10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420.
JAMA
1.Lim LW, Blokland A, Visser-vandevalle V, Steinbusch H, Temel Y. The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2010;26:1–26.
MLA
Lim, Lee Wei, et al. “The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal Columns to Defensive Behaviour”. Deneysel Ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, vol. 26, no. 1, Dec. 2010, pp. 1-26, doi:10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420.
Vancouver
1.Lee Wei Lim, Arjan Blokland, Veerle Visser-vandevalle, Harry Steinbusch, Yasin Temel. The Periaqueductal Gray: From Longitudinal columns to defensive behaviour. J. Exp. Clin. Med. 2010 Dec. 1;26(1):1-26. doi:10.5835/jecm.v26i1.420