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Human lesion studies of ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Brett Schneider1, Michael Koenigs2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, WI 53719, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Neuropsychologia
|October 3, 2017
Summary
Damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) severely impacts decision-making, emotional regulation, and social behavior. This brain region is essential for adaptive functioning and complex cognitive processes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is implicated in cognition, emotion, and behavior.
- Focal lesions in the vmPFC lead to significant alterations in personality and social conduct.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key themes, methods, and findings from neuropsychological research on vmPFC lesion patients.
- To synthesize the role of the vmPFC in adaptive functioning.
Main Methods:
- Review of early case studies on vmPFC damage.
- Analysis of laboratory investigations involving groups of vmPFC lesion patients.
Main Results:
- vmPFC damage causes profound disruptions in personality, decision-making, and social behavior.
- Lesions result in deficits in value-based decision-making, future thinking, emotional processing, empathy, and moral judgment.
- Memory confabulation is also observed in patients with vmPFC damage.
Conclusions:
- The vmPFC plays a critical role in diverse aspects of adaptive human function.
- Understanding vmPFC function is crucial for comprehending complex cognitive and emotional processes.
