Brain
Prefrontal Cortex
Command center for rational thought
Overview
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the anterior part of the frontal lobe and the seat of what makes humans distinctly human: abstract reasoning, moral judgement, long-term planning, and impulse control. It integrates information from almost every other brain region to coordinate complex, goal-directed behavior.
Function
- Working memory storage and manipulation
- Inhibition of impulsive responses
- Moral reasoning and ethical judgment
- Planning complex sequences of behavior
- Emotional regulation by modulating the amygdala
Key Facts
- The PFC is proportionally the largest in humans of any species
- It matures last, reaching full development only around age 25
- Reduced PFC activity is implicated in ADHD, depression, and addiction
- Walter Freeman's controversial lobotomies severed PFC connections