Prefrontal Cortex :: Neurology Brain Medical Essays

Prefrontal CortexThe prefrontal cortex is the some anterior portion of the frontal lobe. It responds mostly to stimuli signaling the need for movement, moreover it is similarly responsible for many other specialized functions. It receives schooling from solely sensory systems and can integrate a large amount of information (Kalat 2004).Studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for working keeping. Working computer storage is defined as the information that is currently available in retentiveness for working on a problem (Anderson 2005). 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 wouldnt answer it. People with frontal lobe disparage often exhibit inappropriate behaviors due to the inability to recognize context. new(prenominal) studies indicate that the PFC is a lso responsible for regulating emotions and decision-making. A topic was conducted in which participants were presented with three dilemmas. One dilemma was called the Trolley Dilemma a trolley is headed toward five people standing on the track. You can leaf the trolley to another track killing only one somebody instead of five. Subjects were asked to decide between right and wrong. Brain scans of the participants show that contemplating the dilemmas activates the prefrontal cortex and other areas that respond to emotion (Kalat 2004).Sustaining a lesion to the prefrontal cortex produces a wide variety of side effects. The effects range from electric razor to severe. You can get a lesion by head trauma or stroke (CJ big 2005). Possible deficits associated with minor lesions of the prefrontal cortex- unfitness to respond quickly to verbal instructions- Speech dysfluency- Disturbances in understanding complex pictures or words- Difficulties with problem-solving- Deficits i n complex tasks requiring inhibition of accustomed behavior patternsWith more extensive lesions the person experiences greater behavior deficits. These deficits embarrass perseveration, which is the inability to make behavioral shifts in attention, movement and attitude, decreased creativity, scummy recall of verbal and nonverbal material, difficulty writing, and deficits in comprehension of logical-grammatical constructions (CJ Long 2005).Other effects of extensive lesions- easily distracted- disturbances in memory- defects in time sense- decreased anxiety - less overcritical of oneself- difficulty with unfamiliar analogies- impulsivity