Going and stopping: Dichotomies in behavioral control by the prefrontal cortex

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Psychopharmacology

Background:

• The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a critical role in regulating behavior.
• A dichotomy suggests the prelimbic cortex (PL) drives action, while the infralimbic cortex (IL) inhibits it.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence supporting or refuting the "PL-go/IL-stop" model.
• To examine the roles of PL and IL in fear extinction and drug-reinforced behaviors.
• To explore potential parallels between medial PFC and orbital PFC functions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of rodent studies.
• Analysis of conditioned fear extinction paradigms.
• Examination of extinction and reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior (cocaine, heroin).

Main Results:

• Evidence supports the PL's role in expressing conditioned fear and goal-directed behaviors.
• Evidence supports the IL's role in extinction learning and habit formation.
• Orbital PFC functions may parallel mPFC in response selection.

Conclusions:

• The "PL-go/IL-stop" dichotomy is a useful framework but requires nuance.
• Understanding these circuits may inform interventions for addiction and PTSD.
• Further research integrating mPFC and orbital PFC functions is warranted.