Lateralized amygdala activation: Importance in the regulation of anxiety and pain behavior

► CORT-mediated increase in anxiety and pain hypersensitivity is not lateralized in the CeA. ► Unilateral activation of either the right or left CeA by CORT is sufficient to induce exaggerated anxiety-like behavior. ► Unilateral CORT implants into the CeA increased contralateral somatic hypersensitivity. ► Visceral hypersensitivity requires co-activation of left and right amygdala.