Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Brain: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Latin	Cortex praefrontalis dorsolateralis

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL-PFC or DLPFC), according to a more restricted definition, is roughly equivalent to Brodmann areas 9 and 46.^[1] According to a broader definition DL-PFC consists of the lateral portions of Brodmann areas 9 – 12, of areas 45, 46, and the superior part of area 47.^[2] These regions mainly receive their blood supply from the middle cerebral artery. With respect to neurotransmitter systems, there is evidence that dopamine plays a particularly important role in DL-PFC.^[2]
DL-PFC is connected to the orbitofrontal cortex, and to a variety of brain areas, which include the thalamus, parts of the basal ganglia (the dorsal caudate nucleus), the hippocampus, and primary and secondary association areas of neocortex, including posterior temporal, parietal, and occipital areas.^[2]
DL-PFC is the last area, 45th, to develop myelinate in the human cerebrum.^{[citation needed]}

Function

DL-PFC serves as the highest cortical area responsible for motor planning, organization, and regulation. It plays an important role in the integration of sensory and mnemonic information and the regulation of intellectual function and action. It is also involved in working memory. However, DL-PFC is not exclusively responsible for the executive functions. All complex mental activity requires the additional cortical and subcortical circuits with which the DL-PFC is connected.^[2][3]

Damage to the DL-PFC can result in the dysexecutive syndrome,^[4] which leads to problems with affect, social judgement, executive memory, abstract thinking and intentionality.^[5]

Truth Telling

The DL-PFC may also be involved in the act of deception and lying, which is thought to inhibit normal propensity to truth telling. Research suggests that by using TMS on the DL-PFC can hamper a person's ability to lie, or indeed to tell the truth. ^[6]

Lucid dream states

More recent research has found a connection between the DL-PFC and lucid dream states in which executive function is retained. ^[7]

References

1. ^ http://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/people/jessica.grahn/neuroanatomy.html
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Philip David Zelazo and Ulrich Muller: Executive function in typical and atypical development, in: Usha Goswam (ed): Blackwell Handbook of Child Cognitive Development, 2002
3. ^ Hale & Fiorello: School neuropsychology, 2004
4. ^ http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2009;volume=51;issue=3;spage=180;epage=190;aulast=John
5. ^ http://www.neuro.spc.org/vaughan/ExecutiveFunctionLecture.pdf
6. ^ http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128284.400-powerful-magnets-hamper-our-ability-to-lie.html
7. ^ http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827815.700-50-ideas-to-change-science-neuroscience.html

See also

• Mesocortical pathway
• Cognitive control
• Working memory
• Attention versus memory in prefrontal cortex
• Attentional shift
• Wisconsin card sort