The infralimbic cortex (IL) is a cortical region in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex which is important in tonic inhibition of subcortical structures and emotional responses, such as fear.
[1] GABAergic neurons within the amygdala, known as intercalated (ITC) cells, receive a strong projection from the IL medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in primates.
[2] ITC cells are thought to play a role as the 'off switch' for the amygdala, inhibiting the amygdala's central nucleus output neurons and its basolateral nucleus neurons.
[3] Further, it has been shown that electrical stimulation of IL reduces conditioned fear and strengthens extinction memory[clarification needed], explaining cortical control over extinction processes,[clarification needed] one of the simplest forms of emotional regulation.
[3] Amygdala ITC cells receive strong projection from the IL mPFC in rodents as well.