Recent data from studies of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in humans and
laboratory animals are reviewed with particular reference to the anatomical
substrates of prefrontal neuropsychological function in health and disease.
The PFC has been shown to have a unique pattern of supramodal connectivity
with intracortical and subcortical circuits that place the PFC in an
anatomical position to subserve "executive" cognitive functions and
modulate limbic information to relate to basal ganglia circuits in a highly
specific manner and to uniquely control the neurochemical elements of
attention and reward. PFC connectivity is also consistent with current
hypotheses about prefrontal neuropsychology, which emphasize conscious,
goal-directed behavior guided by past experience. PFC connectivity explains
the frequency with which prefrontal dysfunction is seen in disease states,
which, on the basis of neuroimaging and neuropathology data, can be
categorized as either intrinsic or dysconnection disorders.Abstract Teaser