Central nucleus of the amygdala

Central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA): Plays a key role in emotional responses, including the expression of fear.

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA or aCeN) is a nucleus within the amygdala.

It “serves as the major output nucleus of the amygdala and participates in receiving and processing pain information.”

CeA “connects with brainstem areas that control the expression of innate behaviors and associated physiological responses.” CeA has dopaminergic projections.

CeA is responsible for “autonomic components of emotions (e.g., changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration) primarily through output pathways to the lateral hypothalamus and brain stem.” The CeA is also responsible for “conscious perception of emotion primarily through the ventral amygdalofugal output pathway to the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and prefrontal cortex.”