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Contributions of anterior cingulate cortex to behaviour
O Devinsky1, M J Morrell, B A Vogt
1Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York.
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is vital for mammalian behavior, with distinct affect and cognition divisions. ACC dysfunction is linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, impacting emotion, cognition, and social behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key brain region involved in mammalian behavior.
- It is structurally organized into distinct 'affect' and 'cognition' components, each with unique projections and functions.
- Understanding ACC's role is crucial for comprehending complex behaviors and neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structural organization and functional contributions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to mammalian behavior.
- To differentiate the roles of the ACC's 'affect' and 'cognition' divisions in regulating emotional, autonomic, and motor functions.
- To explore the implications of ACC dysfunction in various clinical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental animal and human studies, including functional imaging and clinical case analyses.
- Analysis of neuroanatomical projections from different ACC subdivisions to motor systems and other brain regions.
- Examination of clinical data from conditions such as epilepsy, infarcts, and surgical interventions affecting the ACC.
Main Results:
- The ACC is subdivided into an 'affect' division (areas 25, 33, rostral 24) connected to the amygdala and periaqueductal grey, regulating emotions and autonomic functions.
- The 'cognition' division (caudal areas 24', 32', cingulate motor areas, nociceptive cortex) is involved in motor control, response selection, and processing demanding information.
- Dysfunction in either ACC division is associated with a spectrum of behavioral and psychiatric disorders, including impaired consciousness, altered emotional states, psychopathic behaviors, tics, OCD, akinetic mutism, and social deficits.
Conclusions:
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a critical role in the initiation, motivation, and goal-directed behaviors.
- Its distinct 'affect' and 'cognition' divisions modulate emotional responses, autonomic activity, and skeletomotor control.
- ACC dysfunction underlies a wide range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, highlighting its importance in maintaining normal behavior and cognitive function.