The Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): A Case Study

The prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is responsible for higher cognitive functions and social-emotional controls in humans, is one of the most important brain regions; yet, it is also one of the most delicate regions. Located just behind the forehead in the frontal lobe, it becomes vulnerable to injuries, leading to an array of symptoms including behavioural changes. Different neuroimaging studies and case studies have shown that damage to this region may lead to antisocial behaviour, which is defined by disregard for social norms and other people’s rights (Clark et al., 2002). It manifests itself in various acts like vandalism, theft and “aggression towards other people and animals”, which are attributable to the dysfunction of the PFC.

Damage
In a study (Yang et al., 2010) participants identified as psychopaths were grouped as either successful psychopaths (able to avoid criminal conviction) or unsuccessful psychopaths (has history of criminal conviction). By using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), reduction in grey matter volume and thickness in the middle frontal cortex (MFC) and OFC was found in unsuccessful psychopaths instead of in successful psychopaths, compared with the control group. Therefore, deficits in these two sub-regions predispose them to poor behavioural control, resulting in
Phineas Gage was a railway worker that had survived miraculously when an iron rod went through his cheek and brain. However, his personality changed drastically as he was transformed from a responsible and pleasant man to being aggressive and capricious. Recent neuroimaging studies (Damasio et al., 2010) determined that the brain regions involved were bilateral VmPFC and dorsolateral regions, which are associated with decision-making and