Associative cortex: characteristics and functions

The brain is as complex as life itself. Each of its parts is important and has a function, but none could perform it if the others were not connected to it and to each other. The links between the various parts of our brain are, therefore, of vital importance. An example of this is the associative cortex, which without the connections it establishes could not function correctly.

The associative cortex is a part of the cerebral cortex that is essential for our day-to-day functioning. Thanks to it, we can recognize various shapes, process sounds, compose a melody, link smells with memories and taste flavors.among many other functions.

Specifically, this cortical area It is responsible for integrating what we perceive, so that it gives meaning to what we receive sensorially.also know as input sensory.

Below, we explore this incredible part of the brain, one of the most modern phylogenetically. Let’s dig deeper.

What is the associative cortex?

The associative cortex, which together with other areas makes up the cerebral cortex, is the most external and visible part of said cortex. Its main role is to link together the information that comes from various regions of the brain and is, therefore, responsible for integrating the information that comes from the senses.

How does it work?

Through the different connections it has, the associative cortex integrates the stimuli we receive and facilitates the interpretation of what happens to us. It does this by connecting with one sensory system or with several simultaneously.

Therefore, The associative cortex is a kind of translator: As it receives different information, it transforms it into a language suitable for being computed and understood at a cerebral and cognitive level.

The final result is the culmination, from all this incoming information, into a concrete and defined perception referring to our internal or external environment. Impressive, right?

What are the regions of the associative cortex?

This cortex is multisensory in nature. It is capable of associating different sensations with each other and associating these, in turn, with motor areas. To do this, it has the following areas:

Auditory associative cortex. It is responsible for the perception and recognition of sounds. Therefore, it is necessary for the interpretation of these and their link with other areas. In addition, its stimulation can remind you of music from the past.Associative region of the insula lobe. It is responsible for integrating information related to the sense of taste. In addition, it has been given sensitive functions related to smell and is responsible for several autonomic functions among other tasks.Vestibular associative area. It allows us to appreciate body positions and head movements in space. Likewise, it is related to the sensory-motor function of balance.Associative visual zone. It relates the visual information it receives to records of past visual experiences. This allows us to recognize or remember what we are seeing.Associative areas of language. These areas are divided into two: Wernicke’s and Broca’s. The first deals with relating sounds to concepts – it promotes the understanding of language; The second is fundamental for the motor generation of spoken language.Parieto-temporo-occipital associative zone. It is responsible for linking visual, proprioceptive and tactile information. In this way, it integrates the concepts of shape, size and texture. Furthermore, it is related to the perception of body image and awareness of the body schema.Prefrontal associative cortex. It is located in front of the motor cortex, and is related to the control of behavior and executive functions – such as, for example, decision making and planning. It is also important for the expression of language.Limbic associative area. Together with the parieto-temporo-occipital and the prefrontal, it makes up the three large association areas. It is responsible for integrating information from the limbic system, that is, it helps us capture and understand emotions and link them to memories.

l The regions of the associative cortex can also be classified as unimodal and polymodal.: the former are adjacent to the main sensory areas and are responsible for processing information from a single sense or performing a single function; On the other hand, the latter are responsible for integrating various information coming from different senses and performing various functions.

Pathologies associated with the associative cortex

Damage to the associative cortex is severe in nature. Therefore, it generally creates a significant disability in the affected person.

Let’s look at some of the pathologies that can result from its damage or malfunction:

Agnosias. It is about the impossibility of recognizing objects through a sense. People with visual agnosia are unable to recognize an object in front of them that they see perfectly well.Apraxias. Inability to carry out tasks or movements when ordered to do so or at will, as long as it involves an ordered sequence of movements. Aphasia. Language disorder in which there is an inability or difficulty to communicate or understand.Emotional and cognitive-behavioral difficulties. The injury may make the expression of emotions impossible or difficult, in addition to personality alterations and problems understanding orders, planning actions and executing them.

An expert author on this topic that you should not miss is Oliver Sacks. He was a neurologist and popularizer who published immortal scientific works related to neurology.

These books helped and help the non-specialized public to understand the complexity of the brain. We should delve into his works, because in them the author relates with humanity and with wonderful details dramatic neurological problems, and among them, some related to the associative cortex.

For example, he wrote The man who mistook his wife for a hat. It is a book that tells the story of Doctor P., a musician who claimed to have vision problems and who, after examining him, Dr. Sacks saw trying to look for his hat after finishing the visit… And what he did! It was holding his wife’s hand trying to put it on!

From his observations, Sacks was able to deduce that the problem was in the brain and not in the eyesight. It was, therefore, a peculiar case of agnosia, which did not allow Doctor P. to recognize human faces from the sense of sight. Surprising, right? It was about first reported case of prosopagnosia.

Additionally, the associative cortex manages communication between various senses so that we can understand environmental stimuli in an integrated way. A very difficult – but strictly essential – task in our daily lives.

You might be interested…