Prefrontal Cortex: Functions And Associated Disorders
The human brain is made up of many structures, one of the most visible and the one that takes the longest to develop is the cortex, the superficial part full of folds that we have all seen at some point drawn or in photography. This cortex is an essential part of great importance for the human being, as it allows the integration and processing of different information and enables the existence of complex skills such as abstract thinking, self-awareness and planning.
The cerebral cortex can be divided into two hemispheres clearly delimitable to the right and left, as well as several different cerebral lobes. In our species, the largest of them and the one that generates the most research is the frontal lobe, of which one of the most relevant parts is the prefrontal cortex which actively participates in allowing the individual’s adaptive behavior and even the establishment of specific personality characteristics.
As we have seen, the prefrontal cortex is a part of the cerebral cortex belonging to the frontal lobe It is located in the part of the brain closest to the face. It is considered a multimodal or tertiary association area, since it coordinates information from other brain areas. It is a large brain area with great importance in explaining behavioral control, personality and even cognitive abilities.
This part of the neocortex It is the region of the brain that takes the longest to develop, since in fact it is considered that its development does not end until the beginning of adulthood between twenty and twenty-five years of age. Cognitive processes and executive functions could not be carried out without their participation, so we are facing one of the most relevant areas when it comes to being able to adapt our behavior to situations and perform complex cognitive operations.
The prefrontal cortex has important connections with a large number of brain regions, both cortical and subcortical, such as the limbic system, basal ganglia, hippocampus, thalamus and the rest of the brain lobes. That is why it influences and is influenced by a large amount of information coming from very different regions, making it essential for the correct management of behavior and our resources.
The subdivisions of this part of the brain
Although the prefrontal cortex is a part of the frontal lobe, it has frequently been divided into various structures, all of them of great importance. Three of the most important circuits that are part of the prefrontal are the following.
1. Orbitofrontal cortex
The orbitofrontal cortex is probably one of the best-known regions of the prefrontal cortex. This area is especially important in order to control the responses we give socially, as well as to inhibit unacceptable behavior and to control aggression.
2. Dorsolateral cortex
This part of the brain is one of the most developed in humans. It is mainly responsible for processing cognitive information and it is one of the main regions of the prefrontal that are linked to the executive functions that allow us to plan, solve problems, memorize or form ideas. It is also considered to have a great connection with the capacity for self-awareness.
3. Ventromedial cortex
The ventromedial part of the prefrontal cortex is especially linked to the perception and expression of emotions as well as the motivation capacity of the human being (the anterior cingulate is especially responsible for this), the control or inhibition of the responses given to the environment and the creative capacity.
The prefrontal cortex is an area of great importance for our survival in the environment in which we live and our coexistence in society. There are multiple functions of this brain region which integrates and coordinates a large number of processes.
Some of them are detailed below.
1. Executive functions
The prefrontal cortex is especially known to be brain region most linked to executive functions These are defined as the set of fundamentally cognitive skills and aptitudes that allow adaptation to the environment and the resolution of problems based on the integration of various information and the prediction and execution of behaviors based on them.
Within these functions we find the ability to anticipate, set goals and initiate and maintain action. decision making and inhibition of behavior planning based on memory, the ability to modify our strategies or the ability to develop abstract concepts and ideas.
2. Attention, memory and intelligence
Attention fixation or working memory are also mediated by the prefrontal cortex, as is cognitive ability and adaptation to the environment. This does not mean that it is the only area dedicated to these purposes, but it does have a very high participation.
3. Social behavior
Another of the main functions of the prefrontal is the control of social behavior. Based on our interactions and the learning extracted from them as well as from the rest of the information we capture, we are able to regulate our expressions and behaviors feel empathy, restrict behavior based on possible consequences and consider other points of view other than one’s own.
4. Motivation
Linking emotion and cognition so that we establish a plan to carry out certain actions is also due to the proper functioning of the prefrontal cortex. Thus, we are able to motivate ourselves and direct our behavior to achieve a goal that seduces us.
5. Emotionality
Although it is the limbic system that has the greatest connection with the field of emotions, the prefrontal region of the brain is of great importance both when it comes to perceiving and expressing emotions, translating them into physiological reactions or allowing your conscious control
Different aspects of personality are largely mediated by the functioning of the prefrontal cortex. The establishment of more or less stable patterns of behavior in the various aspects of life, and typical characteristics such as inhibition or shyness or responsibility are some of the elements mediated by this brain region.
Lesions in this brain area
The presence of lesions in the prefrontal area can cause serious alterations in the psyche and abilities of people. Specifically, it can generate loss of emotional expression (especially at the facial level), deficits in impulse control, disinhibition, personality changes, antisocial behavior, hypersexuality and hyperorality, serious failures in planning, judgment capacity and postponement of rewards. Also flattened, slowed thinking and with little creative capacity.
These aspects can be seen in a large number of cases, such as injuries caused by head trauma or dementias such as frontotemporal dementia or Huntington’s chorea.
An example of injuries to the prefrontal: the case of Phineas Gage
One of the best-known cases and the first to be documented of an injury to the prefrontal is the case of Phineas Gage, a young man who, while preparing explosives for the purpose, caused an iron bar to penetrate his head, passing through the prefrontal cortex. and specifically the orbitofrontal part. The young man managed to survive the accident and recover from his injuries.
However, as time went by, it became evident that Phineas Gage had changed: he had become aggressive, impulsive and hostile, with little ability to wait and being unable to plan actions or maintain them over time. In addition, he would suffer from epilepsy, a problem that caused his death at the age of 38 after losing work, family and friends.
