6.1 Neuropsychological basis of the executive functions

Neuropsychological basis of the executive functions

general function of the frontal lobe

• Behavioural requirements of executive functions

Subdivisions of the Frontal cortex

• Primary motor cortex 

• Premotor cortex

• Prefrontal cortex

• Medial frontal cortex

Primary motor cortex 

• area 4

• makes movements

Premotor cortex

• areas 6, 8, & 44

• selects movement

Medial frontal cortex

• Anterior cingulate cortex

Prefrontal cortex

• Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

• Orbitofrontal cortex

• Ventromedial prefrontal cortex

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

• areas 9 & 46

• selecting behaviour based on temporal memory (purposive action) & self-regulation.

Orbitofrontal cortex

• areas 47 & lateral portions of 11, 12 & 13

• external cues, social behaviour & self-regulation.

• It evaluates the degree of uncertainty in the environment.

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex

• areas 10, 14, & 25, the medial parts of areas 11, 12, & 13, anterior part of 32

• social cognition, emotional behaviour (self-regulation) & expression.

Anterior cingulate cortex

• Involved in emotions, decision making, visual spatial orientation & self-relevance of objects & events.

Executive Functions of the Frontal-Lobe networks

•  Frontal lobe function ≠ executive function → Prefrontal cortex is important for executive functions, but executive functions depend on distributed brain networks.

• The left frontal lobe has a preferential to be involved in tasks related with language.

• The right frontal lobe plays a greater role in nonverbal movements ej: Facial expressions.

• Both frontal lobes play a role in nearly all behaviour.