The PFC, Executive Function, and Dysfunction
Goldberg (2009) purports, that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) interconnects with every area associated with specialized functions in the brain and is the only structure in the brain, which is so connected. He proposes that this unique anatomical presentation of the PFC provides it with the opportunity and ability to gather information stored within those associated areas and to apply appropriate responses to environmental stimulus. These processes of assimilating and applying refer to executive function (EF) and compare to the role of a conductor or CEO of a large company. When PFC malfunctions, due to the onset of brain injury, disease, or congenital defect it is unable to perform its function as the executive officer and therefore causes the condition of executive dysfunction (ED). This paper examines the important relationships between the PFC, EF, and ED their effect upon human behavior.
This dialogue will provide an appreciation of the PFC, its neural connections, and its relation to EF. Additionally, it will attempt to provide an understanding of some of the skills attributed to EF and the behaviors in which they have an effect. In addition, this submission will incorporate a conversation regarding fMRI studies, other methods of research, and some of the findings of that research. Likewise, it will discuss some disorders attributed to ED. This discussion will conclude by considering the availability of behavioral, other treatments, and supports for those with ED.
Required to begin this discussion is a general appreciation of the frontal lobes and the prefrontal cortex. As explained, by Goldberg (2009) the cerebral cortex is a layer of tissue, which covers the cerebral hemisphere. ...
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Wood, J. N., & Grafman, J. (2003). Human prefrontal cortex: processing and representational perspectives. from Nature Publishing Group: http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pbh&AN=9019721&site=ehost-live&scope=site
...owell, E. R., Thompson, P. M., & Toga, A. W. (2004). Mapping changes in the human cortex
The author explains that in many businesses, abilities associated with the left side of the brain used to matter the most. These include lin...
The orbitofrontal cortex is associated with the limbic system including the amydala, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Association to the limbic system includes the connection to insular cortex, the parahippocampal regions and the hippocampus (Cavada et al., 2000). The limbic system influences the control of behaviour and emotions in an individ...
The Frontal Lobe: Is the anterior part of cerebral hemisphere of the cerebrum of the brain, extending back to region called the central sulcus is a deep cleft on the upper surface of the brain. The frontal lobe is for intelligence which carries out high mental procedures such as thinking, judgment making, and forecasting. The human body uses their frontal lobe nearly every day. The frontal lobe
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) also controls behaviors that depend on context (Kalat 2004). For example, if my cell phone rings when I am at the mall or grocery store I would answer it. If it rings while I am at the movies or in class I wouldn't answer it. People with frontal lobe damage often exhibit inappropriate behaviors due to the inability to recognize context. Other studies indicate that the PFC is also responsible for regulating emotions and decision-making.
Heilman, K. M. (2002). Chapter 2 Language. In Matter of mind: A neurologist's view of brain-behavior relationships (p. 17). Oxford: Oxford University Press
The frontal lobe comprises a third of the brain and it enables us to engage in higher cognitive functions such as planning and problem solving (Jonides & Smith, 1999). The frontal lobe is divided into 3 regions, the motor cortex, premotor cortex, and prefrontal cortex. The motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus and directs fine motor coordination. The premotor cortex is involved in planning, organizing, and integrating body movements. The prefrontal is involved in executive functions, including short-term memory, working memory, decision making, and prioritizing behaviors (Wilson, 2003). Some of the frontal lobe disorders than can cause brain damage and behavioral changes are Huntington’s disease, infection, stroke, tourettes, dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, tumors, closed head injury and traumatic brain injury (Chow, 2000).
Ruff, R. (2003) A friendly critique of neuropsychology: facing the challenges of our future, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. 18( 8), 847-864.
Look only at Gage’s case study for this essay, the frontal lobe and its position in the brain will be the area of focus in this essay. According to Weiten in the tenth edition of Psychology: Themes and Variation, when describing the frontal lobe region, he expounds in great
The left and right hemispheres of the brain are each divided into sections. Within each sections are lobes, controlling such processes as our visualization, our movement, and our personalities. For instance, the occipital lobe in the back of our brain is responsible for processing vision, and the frontal lobe behind our forehead controls cognition and personality. The lobes of the brain are split between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This well-designed arrangement is for the lobes to function correctly, so the two hemispheres of the brain can communicate with one
Executive development happens primarily in the prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain more sensitive to stress than any other. Unlike anywhere else in the brain, even mild stress can flood the prefrontal cortex with the neurotransmitter dopamine, which causes executive functioning to shut down (Diamond, 2010).
Sternberg, R. J. (1999). Cognitive psychology (2nd ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers
Nowadays, it is widely known that the right and left hemisphere have different functions. The two hemispheres are equally important in a daily life basis. Nevertheless, in the 1960’s this was not common knowledge. Even though today the importance of the brain hemispheres is common knowledge, people don’t usually know to whom attribute this findings. One of the people who contributed to form a more defined picture about the brain hemispheres and their respective functions was Roger Wolcott Sperry, with the split brain research. Roger Sperry did more contributions than the split brain research, but this is his most important and revolutionary research in the psychological field. Thanks to the split brain research, Sperry proved that the two hemispheres of the brain are important, they work together and whatever side of the brain is more capable of doing the task is the hemisphere that takes the lead.
Externalizing and internalizing behaviors of students with EBD have numerous comparisons, beginning with the display of both dimensions in individual students. Many students may show behavior characteristics of both externalized and internalized nature as neither is exclusive to problem behaviors exhibited by those with the condition. Comorbidity is not unusual in students with EBD as a student may display multiple behaviors associated with internalizing problems, such as a short attention span or a lack of concentration, and those associated with externalized problems such as physical and verbal disputes; rarely does an individual student with EBD exhibit only one type of maladaptive behavior. Students may display characteristics of behavior with various degrees of severity or intensity, which is either externalized or internalized behaviors may be exhibit...
Keil, F. C. and Wilson, R. A. (1999) The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences. Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England: The MIT Press