Prefrontal cortex what is and what functions it does

We know the fundamental role of the prefrontal cortex since, in the mid -nineteenth century, the rail worker Phineas Gage suffered a tragic work accident that damaged his frontal lobe and, therefore, his decision -making capacity.

Subsequently, the studies carried out on veterans of the First World War that had suffered damage to the frontal lobe showed that these subjects presented great difficulties in the management of the new tasks. To deepen the person responsible for these problems, in this Psychology-online article, we will talk about What is the prefrontal cortex and what functions does.

1. What is the prefrontal cortex?
2. Prefrontal cortex areas
3. Prefrontal cortex functions
4. Prefrontal syndrome

What is the prefrontal cortex?

The prefrontal cortex of human beings has had a development that reaches up to 35% of the extension of the entire neocortical mantle and this area is attributed an essential hierarchical position in the explanation of cognitive processes. In truth, the prefrontal cortex assumes a regulation paper in cognitive tasks, Even antagonistic with each other, so a unitary definition is impossible and incorrect.

So that, ¿What is the prefrontal cortex? An area of Cerebral cortex of the frontal lobes corresponding to the upper and middle frontal circumvolutions and the orbital circumvolutions. It is considered a polyodal associative area, since it receives statements of practically all other cortical areas, the thalamus and numerous subcortical centers, among which the most important is the limbic system. The following article you will find more information about the cerebral cortex, its functions and parts.

Prefrontal cortex areas

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last parts of the brain that mature. ¿At what age the prefrontal head develops? The circuits of this part of the cortex, the process of clearing some connections and the reinforcement of others could reach fullness around 25 years. Areas such as the prefrontal cortex and the connections between the prefrontal area and other parts of the brain mature more slowly and continue to change throughout adolescence and later.

From an anatomical point of view, the prefrontal cortex in humans is defined as isocortical associative area which includes the Regio Frontalis of areas 8-12 and 44-47 of Brodmann and areas 24 and 32 of the Regio cingularis. Specifically, the areas of the prefrontal cortex are the following:

• Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: It is responsible for the organization and planning of complex behaviors and higher level knowledge. The functions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are voluntary and logically ordered actions to motor programming, verbal fluidity, learning and the use of concepts and strategies.
• Medial prefrontal cortex: Another of the parts of the prefrontal cortex that, in particular, plays an important role in both cognitive and emotional motivation.
• Orbitofrontal prefrontal cortex: From the regions of the prefrontal cortex it has the function of regulating and inhibiting, if necessary, the development of stimuli that interfere with the current task. It is also responsible for controlling the motivations and instinctive pressures.

The prefrontal cortex fulfills all its functions, even in association with the thalamus and the ganglia of the base, forming the so -called Frontic Circuits. In addition, in the prefrontal cortex an important functional center for spoken language has been evidence.

Prefrontal cortex functions

The prefrontal cortex is closely related in its evolutionary aspects with the complexity of the patterns and behavioral events of response and adaptation to the social and natural environment of the individual. Therefore, the prefrontal cortex represents a basic structure for social behavior and cognitive processes.

According to recent conceptions, the prefrontal cortex is the headquarters of the decision and ethics processes. The main functions of the prefrontal cortex are the following:

• Emotions regulation: The prefrontal cortex constantly modulates our thoughts, feelings and actions through sophisticated care and decision -making processes. Find more information on how to make difficult decisions in life.
• Planning and organization of future actions depending on the consequences that entail. This area of ​​the brain is activated in tasks that imply a delay between the stimulus and the behavioral response or that depend on the recent experience to be able to finish them.
• Work memory: One of the main functions of the central cortex is the working or short -term memory. If you wonder what kind of memory the prefrontal cortex implies, specifically, it is responsible for temporary memory that stores information for a short period of time. This intervenes in complex processes such as language or reasoning. Discover how to improve short -term memory.
• Another function of the prefrontal cortex is the Pain awareness.

Prefrontal cortex injuries

The proof that the prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in all the aforementioned functions is the observation of the effects caused by the injuries of the prefrontal cortex. Let's see what are:

• Frontal lobe injuries: They lead to disorders in initiation and planning of activities, emotional state and memory. They are also associated with complex personality changes.
• Destruction of the most rostral and basal portions: cause hyperactivity, lack of rest and autonomous and emotional reactions.
• Ablation of zones 24 and 32: leads to docility and reduction of social contacts.
• Bilateral Lesion of the prefrontal cortex: produces an immediate reduction of intellectual capacity and ethical standards.

Prefrontal syndrome

Prefrontal syndrome is described as a pathology characterized by inappropriate responses to social situations, Disinhibition, impulsivity, lack of initiative, reduced flexibility, the inability to plan programs for the future, less argumentation capacity and the difficulty in carrying out complex behaviors. In particular, modifications of the emotional tone can be associated, characterized by a lower emotional reaction, greater emotional lability or a Poor regulation of emotional expressions themselves.

More recently, prefrontal syndrome has been divided into three fundamental types related to different anatomopathological lesions. The types of prefrontal syndrome are:

• Type design type: decreases the capacity for judgment, planning and perception.
• Disinhibited type: It causes uninhibited behavior with little control of inhibitory impulses and brakes and also entails irritability.
• Apatic type: produces a lower spontaneity, lower verbal productivity and lower motor behavior.

Finally, you can see the following video that talks about the prefrontal cortex.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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