Orbitofrontal cortex

From Psy3241

Contents 1 The Orbitofrontal Cortex 2 Imaging 3 Damage to the Orbitofrontal Cortex 4 References

The Orbitofrontal Cortex

[1]Picture of the Orbitofrontal Cortex

The Orbitofrontal cortex is located in the region of the prefrontal cortex within the frontal lobes and slightly above the occipital orbits. It is considered one of the most mysterious and understudied regions of the brain thus far. This is a result of the difficulty researchers have had in capturing fMRI images of this area of the brain. This area of the brain is said to have impact on human personality as well as higher emotional and social traits such as responsibility, control of mood, and motivation. In recent years, functional studies have yielded results linking the Orbitofrontal cortex to reward and decision making mechanisms in the brain.

Imaging

Imaging and neuropathological studies have indicated that that there is an involvement with the orbitofrontal cortex and mood disorders. This linkage has been studied in Alzheimer's patients whose neurofibrillary tangles have been studied in addition to observed behavioral abnormalities. Medial parts of the Orbitofrontal cortex are correlated with learning, self monitoring, and memory in response to reinforcement. The lateral Orbitofrontal cortex is correlated with punishers, and the post-anterior section is found to be correlated with complex and abstract reinforcers.

Damage to the Orbitofrontal Cortex

Patients who have experienced damage to the Orbitofrontal Cortex have been known to experience emotional instability as well as problems with substance abuse, drug expectancy, craving and decision making. In addition, patients who have experienced damage to the Orbitofrontal cortex have been known to have problems managing their finances and overusing substances such as nicotine.

References

Cavada, C., Schultz, W. (2000). The Mysterious Orbitofrontal Cortex. Oxford University Press 10(3).

Kringelbach, M. (2005)The human orbitofrontal cortex: linking reward to hedonic experience. Neuroscience 6(9).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbitofrontal_cortex