Early lesion of the reticular thalamic nucleus disrupts the structure and function of the mediodorsal thalamus and prefrontal cortex

Stuss considered the human prefrontal cortex (pFC) as a “cognitive globe” [Stuss, D. T., & Benson, D. F. Neuropsychological studies of the frontal lobes. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 3–28, 1984] on which functions of the frontal lobe could be mapped. Here, we discuss classic and recent findings regarding the evolution, development, function, and cognitive role of shallow indentations or tertiary sulci in pFC, with the goal of using tertiary sulci to map the “cognitive globe” of pFC. First, we discuss lateral pFC (LPFC) tertiary sulci in classical anatomy and modern neuroimaging, as well as their development, with a focus on those within the middle frontal gyrus. Second, we discuss tertiary sulci in comparative neuroanatomy, focusing on primates. Third, we summarize recent findings showing the utility of tertiary sulci for understanding structural–functional relationships with functional network insights in ventromedial pFC and LPFC. Fourth, we revisit and update unresolved theoretical perspectives considered by C. Vogt and O. Vogt (Allgemeinere ergebnisse unserer hirnforschung. Journal für Psychologie und Neurologie, 25, 279–462, 1919) and F. Sanides (Structure and function of the human frontal lobe. Neuropsychologia, 2, 209–219, 1964) that tertiary sulci serve as landmarks for cortical gradients. Together, the consideration of these classic and recent findings indicate that tertiary sulci are situated in a unique position within the complexity of the “cognitive globe” of pFC: They are the smallest and shallowest of sulci in pFC, yet can offer insights that bridge spatial scales (microns to networks), modalities (functional connectivity to behavior), and species. As such, the map of tertiary sulci within each individual participant serves as a coordinate system specific to that individual on which functions may be further mapped. We conclude with new theoretical and methodological questions that, if answered in future research, will likely lead to mechanistic insight regarding the structure and function of human LPFC.

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The key role of prefrontal cortex structure and function

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x06319012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 22-22

Author(s):

Antonino Raffone ◽

Gary L. Brase

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Species Differences ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Primary Role ◽

Neural Connectivity ◽

Neuronal Connectivity ◽

Connectivity Patterns ◽

Brain Expansion ◽

And Function

The tension between focusing on species similarities versus species differences (phylogenetic versus adaptationist approaches) recurs in discussions about the nature of neural connectivity and organization following brain expansion. Whereas Striedter suggests a primary role for response inhibition, other possibilities include dense recurrent connectivity loops. Computer simulations and brain imaging technologies are crucial in better understanding actual neuronal connectivity patterns.

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Morphological, structural, and functional alterations of the prefrontal cortex and the basolateral amygdala after early lesion of the rat mediodorsal thalamus

Brain Structure and Function ◽

10.1007/s00429-016-1354-2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 222 (6) ◽

pp. 2527-2545 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Zakaria Ouhaz ◽

Saadia Ba-M’hamed ◽

Mohamed Bennis

Keyword(s):

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Basolateral Amygdala ◽

Mediodorsal Thalamus ◽

Early Lesion

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Genetic risk for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia predicts structure and function of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex

Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience ◽

10.1503/jpn.200165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. E441-E450

Author(s):

Christoph Abé ◽

Predrag Petrovic ◽

William Ossler ◽

William H. Thompson ◽

Benny Liberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Genetic Risk ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex ◽

Risk Scores ◽

Polygenic Risk ◽

And Function ◽

Structural Brain

Background: Bipolar disorder is highly heritable and polygenic. The polygenic risk for bipolar disorder overlaps with that of schizophrenia, and polygenic scores are normally distributed in the population. Bipolar disorder has been associated with structural brain abnormalities, but it is unknown how these are linked to genetic risk factors for psychotic disorders. Methods: We tested whether polygenic risk scores for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia predict structural brain alterations in 98 patients with bipolar disorder and 81 healthy controls. We derived brain cortical thickness, surface area and volume from structural MRI scans. In post-hoc analyses, we correlated polygenic risk with functional hub strength, derived from resting-state functional MRI and brain connectomics. Results: Higher polygenic risk scores for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were associated with a thinner ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). We found these associations in the combined group, and separately in patients and drug-naive controls. Polygenic risk for bipolar disorder was correlated with the functional hub strength of the vmPFC within the default mode network. Limitations: Polygenic risk is a cumulative measure of genomic burden. Detailed genetic mechanisms underlying brain alterations and their cognitive consequences still need to be determined. Conclusion: Our multimodal neuroimaging study linked genomic burden and brain endophenotype by demonstrating an association between polygenic risk scores for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and the structure and function of the vmPFC. Our findings suggest that genetic factors might confer risk for psychotic disorders by influencing the integrity of the vmPFC, a brain region involved in self-referential processes and emotional regulation. Our study may also provide an imaging–genetics vulnerability marker that can be used to help identify individuals at risk for developing bipolar disorder.

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