Functional specialization within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: a review of anatomical and physiological studies...

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) possesses cortico-cortical connections with the parietal and premotor cortices that are involved in visuomotor control of actions. Studies have shown that the DLPFC, especially the caudal part, has a crucial role in cognitive control of motor behavior, and that it uses spatial information in conjunction with information such as object identity, behavioral rules, and rewards. Current anatomical and physiological studies indicate that the DLPFC may not be a single entity. Anatomical studies show that preferential anatomical connections exist between subregions of the DLPFC and the parietal/premotor cortices. Physiological studies based on data obtained from monkeys performing a variety of cognitive tasks report region-specific neuronal activity within the DLPFC. In this article, I review evidence for functional segregation within the DLPFC and postulate that at least two distinct subregions, i.e., the dorsal and ventral parts, can be identified.