Abstract: This article reviews the latest research on brain mechanisms of emotion. The brain circuitry underlying emotion includes the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate, ventromedial striatum and et al. Asymmetries in the PFC have been linked to approach and withdrawal systems,with sectors of the left PFC more associated with the approach system and certain forms of positive affect and other regions in the right PFC more associated with negative affect and withdrawal. The amygdala is activated by stimulus that elicits certain forms of negative affect, particularly fear. The hippocampus plays an important role in the context-regulation of emotion. Asymmetries in the PFC and the amygdala are the physiological bases of individual difference in emotion. There is plasticity in the central circuitry of emotion.

Key words: emotion, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus