This is the home page of Dr. Cedric Williams. My research is focused on identifying the mechanisms by which neuroendocrine hormones released during meaningful or emotionally arousing events influence the brain to encode memory for these types of experiences more effectively. The basic premises underlying this line of research are:
- Hormones released following emotionally arousing events produce effects on brain structures by activating ascending fibers of the Vagus Nerve.
- These fibers in turn, transmit neural signals to cell groups in the brainstem known as the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract (NTS).
- NTS neurons that receive input regarding changes in peripheral autonomic or neuroendocrine states convey this information to forebrain structures that have a well established role in memory, such as the Amygdala and Hippocampus, via direct or indirect neural pathways involving the Nucleus Paragigantocellularis (PGi) and the Locus Coeruleus (LC)...
