Projections from the lateral part of the central amygdalar nucleus to the postulated fear conditioning circuit.

The lateral part of the central nucleus projects densely to only three regions: the medial part of the central nucleus, restricted parts of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, and the parabrachial nucleus in the pons. The possible role of the lateral central amygdalar nucleus in circuitry mediating conditioned emotional responses is discussed; changing neuropeptide levels in the lateral part may act as a 'gain control' for reversible long-term modulation (LTM) of medial part output.