Prefrontal cortex regulates inhibition and excitation in distributed neural networks

Resting state and personality component (BIS/BAS) predict the brain activity (EEG and fNIRS measure) in response to emotional cues

“…Indeed, the PFC was found to be the brain area able to explain this valence‐related emotional cue processing. This result was similar to those of previous research which found that the PFC plays a relevant role in the integration of different aspects of memory, and emotional regulation by orienting the cognitive control over emotional stimuli and more generally over emotional behavior (Balconi & Ferrari, 2012; Hariri, Bookheimer, & Mazziotta, 2000; Kalish & Robins, 2006; Knight, Staines, Swick, & Chao, 1999; Miller & Cohen, 2001). Specifically, more recent studies have identified the PFC as a key region in the experience and regulation of emotional responses (Balconi & Bortolotti, 2012; Balconi, Bortolotti, & Gonzaga, 2011; Damasio, 1996; Davidson, 2002; Ochsner & Gross, 2005).…”

A Compensatory Mirror Cortical Mechanism for Facial Affect Processing in Schizophrenia

“…Ultimately, however, the prefrontal cortex exercises its executive role by means of its control on motor systems activity and output. The prefrontal inhibition of unwanted, inappropriate, or untimely motor behavior is specially important for the unobstructed generation of adaptive behavior, and prefrontal gating mechanisms for perceptual inputs and motor outputs are well established (Fuster 1989;Hauser 1999;Konishi et al 1999;Knight et al 1999;Weinberger et al 1983;Andreasen et al 1986). Frontal lobe patients are known to produce uncontrolled behaviors imitating simple actions that other individuals perform in their presence (L'Hermitte et al 1972).…”

The role of prefrontal cortex in working-memory capacity, executive attention, and general fluid intelligence: An individual-differences perspective

“…These data indicate that dPFC acts to reduce Stroop interference by maintaining the name-the-color and/or ignorethe-word task demands in an active state. 11 ERP studies with more simple stimuli also confirm that damage to the dPFC can impair selective-attention capabilities (for reviews, see Knight, 1991;Knight & Grabowecky, 1995;Knight, Staines, Swick, & Chao, 1999). For example, certain components of auditory-and somatosensory-evoked waveforms are greater in magnitude for frontal-lesioned patients than for healthy controls or posterior-lesioned patients (Knight, Scabini, & Woods, 1989;Yamaguchi & Knight, 1990).…”