scholarly journals Structure and function of the prefrontal cortex

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Masataka Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Using Tertiary Sulci to Map the “Cognitive Globe” of Prefrontal Cortex

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Miller ◽  
Mark D'Esposito ◽  
Kevin S. Weiner
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
And Function

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.

scholarly journals The key role of prefrontal cortex structure and function

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.

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

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.

Altered structure and function in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex in patients with burning mouth syndrome

Pain ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (8) ◽  
pp. 1472-1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shariq A. Khan ◽  
Michael L. Keaser ◽  
Timothy F. Meiller ◽  
David A. Seminowicz
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Medial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽  
Burning Mouth ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Resting State Functional Connectivity Associated With Sahaja Yoga Meditation

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Barrós-Loscertales ◽  
Sergio Elías Hernández ◽  
Yaqiong Xiao ◽  
José Luis González-Mora ◽  
Katya Rubia
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
The Right ◽  
And Function ◽  
Yoga Meditation

Neuroscience research has shown that meditation practices have effects on brain structure and function. However, few studies have combined information on the effects on structure and function in the same sample. Long-term daily meditation practice produces repeated activity of specific brain networks over years of practice, which may induce lasting structural and functional connectivity (FC) changes within relevant circuits. The aim of our study was therefore to identify differences in FC during the resting state between 23 Sahaja Yoga Meditation experts and 23 healthy participants without meditation experience. Seed-based FC analysis was performed departing from voxels that had shown structural differences between these same participants. The contrast of connectivity maps yielded that meditators showed increased FC between the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex but reduced FC between the left insula and the bilateral mid-cingulate as well as between the right angular gyrus and the bilateral precuneus/cuneus cortices. It thus appears that long-term meditation practice increases direct FC between ventral and dorsal frontal regions within brain networks related to attention and cognitive control and decreases FC between regions of these networks and areas of the default mode network.

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