Brain Scientists Closer to Mapping the Prefrontal Cortex

Brain Science Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Brain Science Institute and Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology have gained a better understanding of the prefrontal cortex’s different regions.

The pre-frontal cortex is the brain area responsible for higher level cognitive behavior including decision-making and social conduct.

Fourteen trained macaque monkeys were used to carry out a behavioral task based on the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test (WCST) – also known as a ‘frontal lobe’ test. The research results suggest that each of the pre-frontal cortex’s regions plays a distinct role. Findings from the study may also help scientists better understand and treat mental diseases like schizophrenia.

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