Frontalkortex

Frontalkortex is the frontal cortex, the part of the cerebral cortex in the frontal lobes anterior to the central sulcus. It includes regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventromedial and orbitofrontal cortices, the inferior frontal gyrus, and the premotor and supplementary motor areas. These regions participate in multiple functional circuits underlying cognition and movement.

Functions: It supports executive functions like planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition; decision making and goal-directed behavior; social cognition and emotion regulation; and motor planning. The left inferior frontal gyrus is commonly linked with language production.

Connectivity and circuits: The frontalkortex connects with posterior cortical areas, limbic structures, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Key networks include fronto-parietal circuits for attention and working memory, and fronto-striatal circuits for action selection and reward.

Development and clinical relevance: Prefrontal circuits mature across adolescence into early adulthood. Damage or dysfunction can cause frontal lobe syndrome with apathy, disinhibition, planning challenges, and personality changes. It is implicated in ADHD, schizophrenia, and mood disorders.

Research methods and terminology: Investigations use fMRI, PET, diffusion tensor imaging, and noninvasive stimulation such as TMS. The term frontalkortex is used in some languages to denote the frontal cortex; in English, researchers usually say frontal cortex or prefrontal cortex.

See also: Frontal lobe, Prefrontal cortex.