The prefrontal cortex has been implicated in the suppression of unwanted behavior, based upon observations of humans and monkeys with prefrontal lesions. Despite this, there has been little direct neurophysiological evidence for a mechanism that suppresses specific behavior. In this study, we used an oculomotor delayed match/nonmatch-to-sample task in which monkeys had to remember a stimulus location either as a marker of where to look or as a marker of where not to look. We found a group of neurons in both the frontal eye field and the caudal prefrontal cortex that carried signals selective for the forbidden stimulus. The activity of these "don't look" neurons correlated with the monkeys' success or failure on the task. These results demonstrate a frontal signal that is related to the active suppression of one action while the subject performs another.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2004.07.013 | DOI Listing |
Handb Clin Neurol
January 2025
Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
The nonvisual effects of light in humans are mainly conveyed by a subset of retinal ganglion cells that contain the pigment melanopsin which renders them intrinsically photosensitive (= intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, ipRGCs). They have direct connections to the main circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus and modulate a variety of physiological processes, pineal melatonin secretion, autonomic functions, cognitive processes such as attention, and behavior, including sleep and wakefulness. This is because efferent projections from the SCN reach other hypothalamic nuclei, the pineal gland, thalamus, basal forebrain, and the brainstem.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExp Neurol
January 2025
Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Center of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil; Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil. Electronic address:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a burdensome condition frequently associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Although the exact molecular signaling pathways have not yet been fully defined, the compromised integrity of functional brain networks in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex has been linked to persistent symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Understanding how TBI affects neural physiology enables the development of effective interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic stress profoundly affects the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region critical for executive functions and emotional regulation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on stress-induced PFC plasticity, encompassing structural, functional, and molecular changes. We examine how chronic stress leads to dendritic atrophy, spine loss, and alterations in neuronal connectivity within the PFC, particularly affecting the medial PFC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropharmacology
January 2025
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina (IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND), 29590 Málaga, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain. Electronic address:
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are critical lipid signaling pathways involved in emotional regulation and behavior. Despite their interconnected roles and shared metabolic pathways, the specific contributions of LPA signaling through the LPA receptor to stress-related disorders remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of LPA receptor deficiency on emotional behavior and neurotransmitter-related gene expression, with a focus on sex-specific differences, using maLPA-null mice of both sexes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropharmacology
January 2025
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Central Lancashire, Preston UK. Electronic address:
Personality disorders (PDs) are psychiatric conditions characterized by enduring patterns of cognition, emotion, and behaviour that deviate significantly from cultural norms, causing distress or impairment. The aetiology of PDs is complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic studies estimate the heritability of PDs at 30% to 60%, implicating genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation, such as those for serotonin transporters and dopamine receptors.
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