Locus coeruleus

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a nucleus in the Pons of the brainstem. The LC is the brain's primary site of Norepinephrine (NE) and is associated with alertness.

Description
Projections:
 * LC → Amygdala & Hippocampus
 * LC → Brain stem & Spinal cord
 * LC → Cerebellum
 * LC → Cerebral cortex
 * LC → Hypothalamus
 * LC → Tectum
 * LC → Thalamus
 * LC → Ventral tegmental area

Function

 * Arousal and sleep-wake cycle
 * Attention and memory
 * LC and NE is becoming associated with novelty as Dopamine is. It has been found that optically activating NE-positive cells presumably in the LC can enhance memory retention in mice. In addition, this enhancement appears to be dependent on co-release of dopamine in the Hippocampus.
 * Behavioral flexibility, behavioral inhibition and stress (psychological)
 * Cognitive control
 * Emotions
 * Neuroplasticity
 * Posture and balance