Hot and cold executive functions in the brain: A prefrontal-cingular network
Mohammad Ali Salehinejad1, Elham Ghanavati1,2, Md Harun Ar Rashid1
1Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany.
Brain and Neuroscience Advances
|May 17, 2021
Summary
This review explores executive functions, distinguishing between "hot" (emotion-related) and "cold" (cognitive) domains. It proposes a brain model linking these functions to specific prefrontal and cingulate cortex areas, with clinical implications for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Executive functions, or cognitive control, are crucial for goal-directed behavior and are often impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders.
- A key organizing principle distinguishes "hot" (affective/reward-related) from "cold" (purely cognitive) executive functions.
- Both prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortices are significantly involved in executive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define executive functions, their domains, and study methodologies.
- To examine the neural correlates of hot versus cold executive functions in the prefrontal and cingulate cortices.
- To propose a functional model of hot and cold executive function organization within the fronto-cingular network.
Main Methods:
- Literature review defining executive functions and their domains.
- Analysis of existing research linking prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex activity to hot and cold executive functions.
- Development of a conceptual model for the brain organization of hot and cold executive functions.
Main Results:
- The lateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex are associated with cold executive functions.
- The medial-orbital prefrontal cortex, ventral anterior cingulate cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex are linked to hot executive functions.
- This distinction is not absolute and is influenced by task demands and cognitive-emotional interplay.
Conclusions:
- A functional model of the fronto-cingular network highlights distinct roles for hot and cold executive functions.
- Understanding these distinctions offers insights into neuropsychiatric disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
- The model emphasizes the dynamic and context-dependent nature of executive function organization in the brain.
Keywords:
Executive functionsTMSanterior cingulate cortexfMRIhot–cold cognitionneuroimagingnon-invasive brain stimulationposterior cingulate cortexprefrontal cortextDCSMore Related Videos
09:00Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Published on: April 15, 2015
12.5K
16:08Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition
Published on: February 1, 2012
16.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:43Thermosensation
32.8K
Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
32.8K
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
723
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
723
01:23Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination
2.7K
The hypothalamus is a small yet highly complex and essential brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Anatomically, it is located at the base of the brain, just above the brainstem and below the thalamus, forming part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...
2.7K
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
2.5K
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
2.5K
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
1.4K
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
1.4K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
4.7K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
4.7K