The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is an integral component of the mammalian brain. It is an important region for cognitive functions such as decision making, working memory, emotion, and reward processing. Recent research has revealed the complexity of the mPFC, indicating its involvement in multiple cognitive processes. This review will discuss current knowledge of the mPFC, its role in cognition, and its implications for clinical neuroscience.
The mPFC is located in the medial aspect of the frontal lobe, anterior to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). It is composed of multiple subregions such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). Recent evidence suggests that the vmPFC is involved in emotion regulation, reward processing, and decision making, whereas the OFC is involved in working memory and reward processing. In addition, the dmPFC has been linked to attention, decision making, and cognitive control.
The mPFC has been implicated in a variety of cognitive processes. Research suggests that the mPFC is involved in decision making, working memory, emotion regulation, reward processing, and cognitive control. In particular, it has been hypothesized that the mPFC plays a key role in the integration of information from multiple brain regions to produce a coherent cognitive output. This hypothesis is supported by findings that suggest the mPFC is involved in the coordination of activity across multiple brain regions during cognitive tasks.
The mPFC has also been implicated in various clinical conditions, such as schizophrenia, depression, and addiction. For example, studies have shown that there are alterations in mPFC activity in individuals with schizophrenia and depression. Additionally, research suggests that the mPFC is involved in the development of addiction, as it is associated with reward processing and decision making.
In summary, the mPFC is an integral component of the mammalian brain and is involved in multiple cognitive processes. Its involvement in clinical conditions provides insight into the etiology of these disorders and suggests potential therapeutic interventions. Further research is necessary to fully understand the role of the mPFC in cognition and clinical neuroscience.
References
Biswal, B. B., Zerrin Yetkin, F., Haughton, V. M., & Hyde, J. S. (1995). Functional connectivity in the motor cortex of resting human brain using echo-planar MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging, 13(4), 537-541.
Cabral, J., & Barch, D. M. (2016). Medial Prefrontal Cortex Contributions to Cognitive Control. Neuron, 89(6), 1225-1240.
Kasahara, R., & Nauta, W. J. (1970). The Prefrontal Cortex of the Rat. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Company.
McAlonan, G. M., Daly, E. M., Kumari, V., Critchley, H. D., Van Amelsvoort, T., Robertson, D., … & Murphy, K. C. (2008). Neural correlates of executive function and working memory in first-episode schizophrenia: a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Archives of General Psychiatry, 65(9), 1085-1096.
Volkow, N. D., & Li, T. K. (2004). Drug addiction: the neurobiology of behaviour gone awry. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 5(12), 963-970.