The use of neuroscientific methods to examine order and disorder in the emotional brain. Specifically, the use of neurophysiology (electroencephalography, event-related potentials) and both structural and functional neuroimaging to study the neural mechanisms involved in approach (e.g., reward) and avoidance (e.g., threat, fear) emotional states, as well as the regulation of these emotions by the prefrontal cortex. The goal is to translate this research on the emotional brain to the investigation of neural mechanisms underlying emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, and mania.