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In humans, intense emotion activates the anterior cingulate cortex, as it relays neural signals transmitted from the amygdala ( a primary processing center for emotions ) to the frontal cortex, perhaps by functioning as a sort of lens to focus the complex texture of neural signal interference patterns.

The ACC is also active during demanding tasks requiring judgment and discrimination, and when errors are detected by an individual.

During difficult tasks, or when experiencing intense love, anger, or lust, activation of the ACC increases.

In brain imaging studies, the ACC has specifically been found to be active when mothers hear infants cry, underscoring its role in affording a heightened degree of social sensitivity.