Reptilian Brain Insights Could Revolutionize Mental Health Treatments

A study by Northwestern Medicine explores the evolutionary development of human social cognitive abilities, linking them to the amygdala, or "lizard brain," which processes fear and social behaviors. This connection may inform future psychiatric therapies for anxiety and depression, potentially using noninvasive techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation to target the amygdala indirectly. The research highlights the sophisticated interplay between ancient and advanced brain functions, crucial for human social interaction and survival.