Prefrontal cortex, one of the most interesting parts of the brain

The prefrontal cortex is the most sophisticated reflection of our evolution. Evolutionarily speaking, it was the last cortical region to develop, to show a complete phylogenetic and ontogenetic advance. We can easily identify it because it is that rough and folded area, located in the area closest to our face, where the most complex mental and cognitive processes are contained.

One of the purposes of neuropsychology is to understand this sophisticated relationship between the brain and our behavior. Thus, no one will be surprised to know that the prefrontal cortex is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting areas as well as decisive for understanding our abstract thinking and even our self-awareness. It is, so to speak, that structure that makes us truly human.

Scientists call all these sophisticated tasks carried out by the prefrontal cortex “executive functions.” They decided it this way due to a very specific fact: We are facing that privileged space of our brain where one can distinguish good from evilwhere we can value our environment and even establish control over our own thinking.

The prefrontal cortex, the last brain area to develop

Often, There are fathers and mothers who lament the difficulty their teenage son has when it comes to understanding certain things., of lacking control to contain their impulsiveness, of not reasoning enough before carrying out a behavior. We lament, almost without knowing that in reality, the complete development of the prefrontal cortex is not completed until we are 20 or 25 years old.

Despite the “almost” adult appearance of our teenage boys and girls, it is worth remembering that their brains are still immature. In fact, it is interesting to know that the human brain matures from the nape of the neck to the forehead and therefore, the prefrontal cortex is the last area to settlein developing the most sophisticated and valuable capabilities of our species.

Now, this does not mean that children and adolescents are not capable of making decisions until they reach their twenties. They do it and, sometimes, even correctly. Now, we must take into account that the development of these more complex skills is established year by year, and that With greater stimuli, challenges, support and opportunities, the evolution of these cognitive abilities will be more than optimal.

Therefore, let us not hesitate to be more understanding with them at these ages. At the end of the day, all they need is time, patience, understanding and good advice.

Parts of the prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex is that sophisticated and at the same time tremendously complex control center that has connections with multiple brain regions. Thus, structures such as the hippocampus, the thalamus and the rest of the brain lobes share direct pathways with it, channels where information comes and goes almost incessantly.

Let’s now see what parts the prefrontal cortex is divided into:

The orbitofrontal cortex, related to our social behaviors and our decision making.The dorsolateral cortex, an essential area in humans. Thanks to it we plan, devise goals, memorize, reflect… Neuroscientists venture to say that this is where our consciousness is located. The ventromedial cortex is related to our perception and the expression of our emotions.

What functions does the prefrontal cortex have?

A few years ago, scientists from the University of Missouri explained the reason why our prefrontal cortex is so large compared to those other species with which we share our planet. According to what they indicated, it was due to a process of demographic pressure. That is to say, As the number of people who made up our contexts increased, the way we related and communicated improved..

All of this, all of this social, cognitive, and emotional experience shaped a more evolved prefrontal cortex. Let’s now see what functions this very special part of our brain usually carries out.

Coordinates and adjusts our social behavior.It helps us control impulses and manage our emotions. In this area, those processes related to our personality are carried out (being more shy, more daring, more open to experience…) Motivation, finding sufficient enthusiasm and drive to achieve a goal, it is also located in the prefrontal cortex.We focus attention, organize complex information and planWorking memory is also located here, those cognitive skills with which we retain information as we experiment or do things.

To conclude, given the relevance of all these functions, We can imagine what it means to have a lesion in the prefrontal cortex. Thus, people who have suffered trauma, who present neuronal deterioration or developmental problems located in this area, usually show difficulty controlling their behavior, difficulty planning, deciding, creating…

They are also characterized by having linear thinking and often antisocial behavior. They are very delicate and complex situations that show us, once again, the great relevance of this cortical area for human beings and their social behavior.

You might be interested…