Cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex

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Event Abstract Back to Event Cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex Joaquin M. Fuster1* 1 University of California, United States Traditionally, the cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex have been inferred from effects of cortical lesions. This approach has led to subdivisions of that cortex into functional units or “modules,” each in charge of a specific function. Recording, imaging, and co-adjuvant computation commonly fail to confirm the mapping of any given function, presumably because of a faulty assumption about its dedicated module or a faulty operational definition of the function—at the exception of working memory. The most plausible approach to the functions of the prefrontal cortex is to extend to this cortex the principle that Jackson formulated for motor cortex and hypothesized for higher frontal cortices: the same neural substrate that represents an action is in charge of its execution. Thus, just as the neuronal assemblies of motor cortex represent and execute muscular movement, the neuronal assemblies in higher levels of the Jacksonian frontal hierarchy (premotor and prefrontal), represent and execute complex actions. The cognitive network that represents an action mediates its execution. Insofar as the action requires temporal integration and organization, the prefrontal cortex contains critical components of that network. Both the network and the action are an integral part of the perception/action (PA) cycle. When the PA cycle contains a temporal discontinuity between perception and action, working memory comes into play. Working memory is the temporary retention of information for the execution of a prospective action. It is long-term memory updated for an action in the near future. Its structural and functional substrate is a large distributed memory network of frontal and posterior cortex. Because the executive portion of that network invariably contains nodes of executive memory in the prefrontal cortex, the latter cortex is invariably involved in the executive functions that permit the temporal organization of sequential actions. In addition to working memory, these functions include prospective set, decision-making, monitoring, and inhibitory control. Hence, the disorders of the prefrontal cortex almost invariably result in disorders of the temporal organization of behavior, language, or reasoning. The executive functions of the prefrontal cortex are co-localized with the executive networks that are located there. Those functions consist in neural transactions within and between the cortical memory networks engaged in the PA cycle toward a goal. No function is circumscribed to a fixed prefrontal location, but is defined by the spatio-temporal pattern of those transactions in the network nodes engaged in the cycle. The attributions of “central executive” or “executive control” imply autonomous causal functions that the prefrontal cortex does not possess. All its cognitive functions serve the temporal integration of executive representations in the PA cycle and are inextricable from it. Conference: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes, Toronto, Canada, 22 Mar - 26 Mar, 2010. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Keynote Speaker Citation: Fuster JM (2010). Cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex. Conference Abstract: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.14.00001 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 24 Jun 2010; Published Online: 24 Jun 2010. * Correspondence: Joaquin M Fuster, University of California, Los Angeles, United States, joaquinf@ucla.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Joaquin M Fuster Google Joaquin M Fuster Google Scholar Joaquin M Fuster PubMed Joaquin M Fuster Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.