View source for Prefrontal cortex

{{redirect|Prefrontal|the [[skull]] [[bone]]|Prefrontal bone}}
{{Infobox Brain|
  Name            = Prefrontal cortex |
  Latin           = |
  GraySubject     = |
  GrayPage        = |
  Image           = Prefrontal cortex.gif| Animated image of the prefrontal cortex |
  Caption         = [[Brodmann areas]] of lateral surface. Per BrainInfo, parts of #8, #9, #10, #11, #44, #45, #46, and #47 are all in frontal region.  |
  Image2          = |
  Caption2        =  |
  Width           = 300 |
  IsPartOf        = [[Frontal lobe]]|
  Components      = [[Superior frontal gyrus]] <br/> [[Middle frontal gyrus]] <br/> [[Inferior frontal gyrus]]|
  Artery          = [[Anterior cerebral artery|Anterior cerebral]] <br/> [[Middle cerebral artery|Middle cerebral]]|
  Vein            = [[Superior sagittal sinus]]|
  BrainInfoType   = ancil |
  BrainInfoNumber = 101 |
  MeshName        = Prefrontal+Cortex |
  MeshNumber      = A08.186.211.730.885.213.270.700 |
}}
The '''prefrontal cortex''' is the [[anterior]] part of the [[frontal lobes]] of the brain, lying in front of the [[primary motor cortex|motor]] and [[premotor cortex|premotor]] areas. [[cytoarchitectonics|Cytoarchitectonically]], it is defined by the presence of an [[cerebral cortex|internal granular layer IV]] (in contrast to the agranular [[Brodmann area 6|premotor cortex]]). Divided into the lateral, orbitofrontal and medial prefrontal areas, this brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression and moderating correct social behavior.

The basic activity of this brain region is considered to be orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals.

The most typical [[neurology|neurologic]] term for functions carried out by the pre-frontal cortex area is [[executive system|Executive Function]].  Executive Function relates to abilities to differentiate among conflicting thoughts, determine good and bad, better and best, same and different, future consequences of current activities, working toward a defined goal, prediction of outcomes, expectation based on actions, and social "control" (the ability to suppress urges that, if not suppressed, could lead to socially unacceptable outcomes).

Many authors have indicated an integral link between a person's personality and the functions of the prefrontal cortex.

==Anatomy==
Shown below are images of the prefrontal cortex depicting Brodmann area 10.

<gallery>
File:Prefrontal cortex.gif| Animated image of the prefrontal cortex
File:Prefrontal cortex anterior.jpeg| Anterior view of the prefrontal cortex
File:Prefrontal cortex lateral.jpeg| Lateral view of the prefrontal cortex
File:Prefrontal cortex medial.jpeg| Posterior view of the prefrontal cortex
</gallery>
==Brain linkages==

The prefrontal cortex has a high number of interconnections both between the [[brain stem|brainstem]]'s [[reticular activating system|Reticular Activating System]] (RAS) and the [[limbic system]].  As a result, the centers in the prefrontal cortex depend significantly on high levels of alertness, and emotional linkages with deeper brain structures related to control of pleasure, pain, anger, rage, panic, aggression (fight-flight-freeze responses), and basic sexual responses.

==Studies==

The classic case of earlier studies of prefrontal cortex function involved a railroad supervisor of construction&mdash;one [[Phineas Gage]]&mdash;who in 1848, despite a metal rod piercing his left cheek and exiting the top of his head, survived the incident and healed.  After the event he had normal memory and abilities to walk and talk, but because of the prefrontal injury could no longer behave correctly, often getting into fights or acting shockingly.  The remainder of his life was a tragedy of knowing what was right and wrong, but never choosing the right and instead always picking what sounded pleasurable and easy.

Subsequent studies on patients with prefrontal injuries have shown that, in testing, they verbalize what the most appropriate social responses would be under certain circumstances, yet when actually performing, they will still pursue behavior which is aimed at immediate gratification even if they know the longer term results will be self-defeating.  

This data indicates that not only are skills of comparison and understanding of eventual outcomes harbored in the prefrontal cortex, but that the prefrontal cortex (when functioning correctly) controls the mental option to delay immediate gratification for a better or more rewarding longer term gratification result.  This ability to wait for a reward is one of the key pieces that defines optimal executive function of the human brain.

In 2005, [[University of Toronto]] researchers traced the origin of [[fear]] memories to the prefrontal cortex.<ref>http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/050915-1631.asp</ref>

==Other disorders==
 
In the last few decades, [[neuroimaging|brain imaging]] systems have been used to determine brain region volumes and nerve linkages. Several studies have indicated that reduced volume and interconnections of the frontal lobes with other brain regions is common in those with depression, people subjected to repeated stressors,<ref>{{cite journal |author=Liston C et al |title=Stress-induced alterations in prefrontal cortical dendritic morphology predict selective impairments in perceptual attentional set-shifting |journal=J Neurosci |volume=26 |issue=30 |pages=7870-4 |year=2006 |pmid=16870732}}</ref> suicide victims,<ref>{{cite journal |author=Rajkowska G |title=Morphometric methods for studying the prefrontal cortex in suicide victims and psychiatric patients |journal=Ann N Y Acad Sci |volume=836 |issue= |pages=253-68 |year= |pmid=9616803}}</ref> incarcerated criminals, sociopaths, and drug addicts. It is felt that at least some of the human abilities to feel guilt or remorse, and to interpret reality, lie in the prefrontal cortex.

==References==
<references/>
* [[Antonio Damasio]], ''[[Descartes' Error]]''. [[Penguin Putman Pub.]], [[1994]].

* [[Richard M. Burton]], ''The Anatomy, Chemistry and Genetics of Human Behavior'', Newport. 1996.

* {{cite journal |author=Miller EK, Cohen JD |title=An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function |journal=Annu Rev Neurosci |volume=24 |issue= |pages=167-202 |year=2001 |pmid=11283309}}

* {{cite journal |author=Lebedev M et al |title=Representation of attended versus remembered locations in prefrontal cortex |journal=[[PLoS Biology]] |volume=2 |issue=11 |pages=e365 |year=2004 |pmid=15510225}}

* Fuster JM (1997) The Prefrontal Cortex: Anatomy, physiology, and neuropsychology of the frontal lobe, 2 Edition: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

==See also== 
* [[Attention versus memory in prefrontal cortex]]

==External links==
* [http://bama.ua.edu/~sprentic/672%20aggression-brain.jpg Diagram (ua.edu)]  
* [http://universe-review.ca/I10-80-prefrontal.jpg Diagram (universe-review.ca)]  
* {{BrainMaps|Prefrontal%20cortex|Prefrontal cortex}} 
 
{{Prosencephalon}}

[[Category:Cerebrum]]

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