Prefrontal cortex: functions and associated disorders

The human brain It is configured by many structures, being one of the most visible and the one that takes the longest to develop the cortex, the superficial part and full of folds that we have all ever seen drawn or in photography. This cortex is an essential part and of great importance for the human being, since it allows the integration and processing of the 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 in several different brain lobes. In our species, the largest of them and the one that in turn 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 adaptive behavior of the individual and even the establishment of specific personality characteristics.

• Related article: "The lobes of the brain and their different functions"

The prefrontal cortex: location in the brain

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 early adulthood between twenty and twenty-five years of age. Cognitive processes and executive functions could not be carried out without their participation, so that we are facing a of the most relevant areas when it comes to adapting our behavior to situations and performing cognitive operations complex.

The prefrontal cortex has important connections with a large number of both cortical and subcortical brain regions, such as the limbic system, the basal ganglia, the hippocampus, the thalamus and the rest of the brain lobes. That is why it influences and is influenced by a large amount of information from very different regions, being essential for the correct management of the conduct and of 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 behaviors and to control aggressiveness.

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 prefrontal regions that are linked to the executive functions that allow us to plan, solve problems, memorize or form ideas. It is considered that it also has a great link 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 ability to motivation 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.

Prefrontal functions

The prefrontal cortex is an area of ​​great importance for our survival in the environment in which we live and our coexistence in society. The functions of this brain region are multiple, 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 the brain region most linked to executive functions. Defined as such are the set of fundamentally cognitive abilities and aptitudes that allow adaptation to the environment and the problem solving based on the integration of various information and the anticipation and performance of behaviors based on they.

Within these functions we find the ability to anticipate, set goals and initiate and maintain action, decision making andbehavior inhibition, planning based on memory, the ability to modify our strategies or to develop abstract concepts and ideas.

2. Attention, memory and intelligence

Fixation of attention or work memory They are also mediated by the prefrontal cortex, as well as the cognitive capacity 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 obtained both from them and 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 unrelated to 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 towards the achievement of 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 has great importance both when perceiving and expressing emotions, translating them into physiological reactions or allowing your conscious control.

Personality

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 the responsibility are some of the elements mediated by this brain region.

Injury to 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 the loss of emotional expression (especially at the facial level), deficit in impulse control, disinhibition, personality changes, antisocial behavior, hypersexuality and hyperorality, serious failures in planning, judgment and postponement of rewards. Also flattened thinking, slowed down 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 or Huntington's Korea.

An example of prefrontal lesions: the case of Phineas Gage

One of the best known cases and the first to be documented of a prefrontal lesion is the case of Phineas gage, a young man who while preparing explosives for the purpose, which caused an iron bar to penetrate his head through the prefrontal cortex and specifically the orbitofrontal part. The young man managed to survive the accident and recover from injuries.

However as time went by it became clear that Phineas Gage had changed: he had become aggressive, impulsive and hostile, with little ability to wait and being unable to plan actions or keep them in the weather. Besides that he would suffer epilepsy, a problem that caused his death at 38 years of age after losing job, family and friends.

Bibliographic references:

• Goldberg, E. (2009). The executive brain: frontal lobes and civilized mind. Review.

• Kandel, E.R.; Schwartz, J.H.; Jessell, T.M. (2001). Principles of Neuroscience. Madrird: MacGrawHill.

• Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I. (2006). Human neuropsychology. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana.

• Pineda, D. (2000) Executive function and its disorders. In: Journal of Neurology, 30 (8) 764.