Prefrontal cortex

Studies

The classic case of earlier studies of prefrontal cortex function involved a railroad supervisor of construction - one Phineas Gage - who in the 18th century, despite a metal rod piercing his eye and exiting the top of his head, survived the incident and healed. After the event, although he lost sight in one eye, he had normal memory and abilities to walk and talk, but because of the prefrontal injury could no longer behave correctly, often getting into fights or acting shockingly. The remainder of his life was a tragedy of knowing what was right and wrong, but never chosing the right and instead always picking what sounded pleasurable and easy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Subsequent studies on patients with prefrontal injuries have shown that, in testing, they verbalize what the most appropriate social reponses would be under certain circumstances, yet when actually performing, they will still pursue behavior which is aimed at immediate gratification even if they know the longer term results will be self-defeating.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This data indicates that not only are skills of comparison and understanding of eventual outcomes harbored in the prefrontal cortex, but that the prefrontal cortex (when functioning correctly) controls the mental option to delay immediate gratification for a better or more rewarding longer term gratification result. This ability to wait for a reward is one of the key pieces that defines optimal executive function of the human brain.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~