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Decision-making and impulse control after frontal lobe injuries.
Antoine Bechara1, Martial Van Der Linden
1Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. antoine-bechara@uiowa.edu
Current Opinion in Neurology
|November 11, 2005
Summary
The prefrontal cortex, once considered nonfunctional, is now recognized for its critical role in decision-making and adaptive behaviors. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding its neural mechanisms and clinical implications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The prefrontal cortex was historically viewed as a 'nonfunctional' brain area.
- Recent research emphasizes its crucial role in adaptive behaviors, particularly decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent progress in understanding the function of the prefrontal cortex.
- To highlight the link between decision-making and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent findings on decision-making and the prefrontal cortex.
- Focus on research differentiating executive functions, with an emphasis on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Main Results:
- Decision-making is a key executive function, involving management of memory, attention, and language.
- Previous research predominantly focused on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
- This review shifts focus to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex's role in decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Impaired decision-making in patients leads to significant human suffering and financial costs.
- Understanding the neural basis of decision-making advances fundamental neuroscience.
- This knowledge has practical applications for neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive decline in the elderly.