Prefrontal Cortex - Executive Functions

The concept of executive functions is closely related to the distinction between automatic and controlled behavior, which has a long history in cognitive science. Automatic behavior refers to actions that are performed without conscious control, while controlled behavior requires the use of executive functions. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in executive functions, which enable individuals to optimize performance in situations requiring the operation and coordination of several more basic cognitive processes.

The prefrontal cortex has three different surfaces: the lateral surface, the medial surface, and the orbital surface. These surfaces are anatomically and functionally distinct, with the lateral surface being more closely associated with sensory inputs, and the medial and orbital surfaces being more closely connected with structures critical for long-term memory and processing of emotion.

Aside from these gross anatomical divisions, different regions of the prefrontal cortex have been divided into separate areas of functional specialization. These areas correspond approximately, although not exactly, with different Brodmann areas. The prefrontal cortex is the starting and ending point of various circuits that pass through the basal ganglia and thalamus, which modify activity in prefrontal cortex and ultimately affect the probability of behavior. The basal ganglia loop to prefrontal cortex is believed to be crucial for learning of novel tasks and making the transition from controlled behavior to automatic behavior.