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Published on: February 6, 2019
Frontal Cortex and the Hierarchical Control of Behavior
1Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Brown Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Frontal lobe organization for cognitive control is complex. Evidence suggests separate frontal networks interact hierarchically, rather than a simple rostrocaudal or abstraction gradient model.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The frontal lobes are crucial for cognitive control.
- The functional organization of the frontal lobes, particularly the lateral frontal cortex, is debated.
- Hierarchical cognitive control theories propose rostrocaudal organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on hierarchical cognitive control.
- To examine the functional organization of the lateral frontal cortex.
- To evaluate existing models of frontal lobe organization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on frontal lobe function and cognitive control.
- Analysis of evidence regarding hierarchical organization and abstraction gradients.
- Synthesis of findings on network interactions within the frontal lobes.
Main Results:
- Evidence does not support a single, unitary model of lateral frontal function.
- Findings contradict a simple unidimensional abstraction gradient model.
- Separate frontal networks demonstrate interaction through local and global hierarchical structures.
Conclusions:
- Frontal lobe organization is not explained by a simple hierarchical or abstraction gradient.
- Diverse task demands are supported by interacting frontal networks.
- A complex, multi-level hierarchical structure underlies cognitive control in the frontal lobes.
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