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Levy R. The prefrontal cortex: from monkey to man. Brain 2024; 147:794-815. [PMID: 37972282 PMCID: PMC10907097 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex is so important to human beings that, if deprived of it, our behaviour is reduced to action-reactions and automatisms, with no ability to make deliberate decisions. Why does the prefrontal cortex hold such importance in humans? In answer, this review draws on the proximity between humans and other primates, which enables us, through comparative anatomical-functional analysis, to understand the cognitive functions we have in common and specify those that distinguish humans from their closest cousins. First, a focus on the lateral region of the prefrontal cortex illustrates the existence of a continuum between rhesus monkeys (the most studied primates in neuroscience) and humans for most of the major cognitive functions in which this region of the brain plays a central role. This continuum involves the presence of elementary mental operations in the rhesus monkey (e.g. working memory or response inhibition) that are constitutive of 'macro-functions' such as planning, problem-solving and even language production. Second, the human prefrontal cortex has developed dramatically compared to that of other primates. This increase seems to concern the most anterior part (the frontopolar cortex). In humans, the development of the most anterior prefrontal cortex is associated with three major and interrelated cognitive changes: (i) a greater working memory capacity, allowing for greater integration of past experiences and prospective futures; (ii) a greater capacity to link discontinuous or distant data, whether temporal or semantic; and (iii) a greater capacity for abstraction, allowing humans to classify knowledge in different ways, to engage in analogical reasoning or to acquire abstract values that give rise to our beliefs and morals. Together, these new skills enable us, among other things, to develop highly sophisticated social interactions based on language, enabling us to conceive beliefs and moral judgements and to conceptualize, create and extend our vision of our environment beyond what we can physically grasp. Finally, a model of the transition of prefrontal functions between humans and non-human primates concludes this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Levy
- AP–HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Neurology, Sorbonne Université, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer’s Disease, 75013 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1127, CNRS 7225, Paris Brain Institute- ICM, 75013 Paris, France
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Domain L, Guillery M, Linz N, König A, Batail JM, David R, Corouge I, Bannier E, Ferré JC, Dondaine T, Drapier D, Robert GH. Multimodal MRI cerebral correlates of verbal fluency switching and its impairment in women with depression. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 33:102910. [PMID: 34942588 PMCID: PMC8713114 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The search of biomarkers in the field of depression requires easy implementable tests that are biologically rooted. Qualitative analysis of verbal fluency tests (VFT) are good candidates, but its cerebral correlates are unknown. METHODS We collected qualitative semantic and phonemic VFT scores along with grey and white matter anatomical MRI of depressed (n = 26) and healthy controls (HC, n = 25) women. Qualitative VFT variables are the "clustering score" (i.e. the ability to produce words within subcategories) and the "switching score" (i.e. the ability to switch between clusters). The clustering and switching scores were automatically calculated using a data-driven approach. Brain measures were cortical thickness (CT) and fractional anisotropy (FA). We tested for associations between CT, FA and qualitative VFT variables within each group. RESULTS Patients had reduced switching VFT scores compared to HC. Thicker cortex was associated with better switching score in semantic VFT bilaterally in the frontal (superior, rostral middle and inferior gyri), parietal (inferior parietal lobule including the supramarginal gyri), temporal (transverse and fusiform gyri) and occipital (lingual gyri) lobes in the depressed group. Positive association between FA and the switching score in semantic VFT was retrieved in depressed patients within the corpus callosum, right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, right superior longitudinal fasciculus extending to the anterior thalamic radiation (all p < 0.05, corrected). CONCLUSION Together, these results suggest that automatic qualitative VFT scores are associated with brain anatomy and reinforce its potential use as a surrogate for depression cerebral bases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Domain
- Universitary Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Rennes, France
| | - M Guillery
- Universitary Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Rennes, France
| | - N Linz
- ki:elements, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - A König
- Stars Team, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), Sophia Antipolis, France; CoBTeK (Cognition-Behaviour-Technology) Lab, FRIS-University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - J M Batail
- Universitary Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Rennes, France
| | - R David
- Old-age Psychiatry DEPARTMENT, Geriatry Division, University of Nice, France
| | - I Corouge
- U1228 Empenn, UMR 6074, IRISA, University of Rennes 1, France
| | - E Bannier
- U1228 Empenn, UMR 6074, IRISA, University of Rennes 1, France
| | - J C Ferré
- U1228 Empenn, UMR 6074, IRISA, University of Rennes 1, France
| | - T Dondaine
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, LilNCog, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - D Drapier
- Universitary Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Rennes, France
| | - G H Robert
- Universitary Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier, Rennes, France; U1228 Empenn, UMR 6074, IRISA, University of Rennes 1, France
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Ovando-Tellez M, Kenett YN, Benedek M, Bernard M, Belo J, Beranger B, Bieth T, Volle E. Brain connectivity-based prediction of real-life creativity is mediated by semantic memory structure. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl4294. [PMID: 35119928 PMCID: PMC8816337 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl4294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Associative theories of creativity argue that creative cognition involves the abilities to generate remote associations and make useful connections between unrelated concepts in one's semantic memory. Yet, whether and how real-life creative behavior relies on semantic memory structure and its neural substrates remains unclear. We acquired multi-echo functional magnetic resonance imaging data while participants underwent a semantic relatedness judgment task. These ratings were used to estimate their individual semantic memory networks, whose properties significantly predicted their real-life creativity. Using a connectome predictive modeling approach, we identified patterns of task-based functional connectivity that predicted creativity-related semantic memory network properties. Furthermore, these properties mediated the relationship between functional connectivity and real-life creativity. These results provide new insights into how brain connectivity patterns support real-life creative behavior via the structure of semantic memory. We also show how computational network science can be used to couple behavioral, cognitive, and neural levels of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Ovando-Tellez
- Sorbonne University, FrontLab at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Yoed N. Kenett
- Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | | | - Matthieu Bernard
- Sorbonne University, FrontLab at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Joan Belo
- Sorbonne University, FrontLab at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Benoit Beranger
- Sorbonne University, CENIR at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Theophile Bieth
- Sorbonne University, FrontLab at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
- Neurology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Volle
- Sorbonne University, FrontLab at Paris Brain Institute (ICM), INSERM, CNRS, 75013 Paris, France
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Braunsdorf M, Blazquez Freches G, Roumazeilles L, Eichert N, Schurz M, Uithol S, Bryant KL, Mars RB. Does the temporal cortex make us human? A review of structural and functional diversity of the primate temporal lobe. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:400-410. [PMID: 34480913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Temporal cortex is a primate specialization that shows considerable variation in size, morphology, and connectivity across species. Human temporal cortex is involved in many behaviors that are considered especially well developed in humans, including semantic processing, language, and theory of mind. Here, we ask whether the involvement of temporal cortex in these behaviors can be explained in the context of the 'general' primate organization of the temporal lobe or whether the human temporal lobe contains unique specializations indicative of a 'step change' in the lineage leading to modern humans. We propose that many human behaviors can be explained as elaborations of temporal cortex functions observed in other primates. However, changes in temporal lobe white matter suggest increased integration of information within temporal cortex and between posterior temporal cortex and other association areas, which likely enable behaviors not possible in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Braunsdorf
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Guilherme Blazquez Freches
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lea Roumazeilles
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Eichert
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Schurz
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebo Uithol
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Katherine L Bryant
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rogier B Mars
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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5
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Siuda-Krzywicka K, Witzel C, Bartolomeo P, Cohen L. Color Naming and Categorization Depend on Distinct Functional Brain Networks. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1106-1115. [PMID: 32995838 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Naming a color can be understood as an act of categorization, that is, identifying it as a member of a category of colors that are referred to by the same name. But are naming and categorization equivalent cognitive processes and consequently rely on same neural substrates? Here, we used task and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging as well as behavioral measures to identify functional brain networks that modulated naming and categorization of colors. We first identified three bilateral color-sensitive regions in the ventro-occipital cortex. We then showed that, across participants, color naming and categorization response times (RTs) were correlated with different resting state connectivity networks seeded from the color-sensitive regions. Color naming RTs correlated with the connectivity between the left posterior color region, the left middle temporal gyrus, and the left angular gyrus. In contrast, color categorization RTs correlated with the connectivity between the bilateral posterior color regions, and left frontal, right temporal and bilateral parietal areas. The networks supporting naming and categorization had a minimal overlap, indicating that the 2 processes rely on different neural mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Siuda-Krzywicka
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Christoph Witzel
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Paolo Bartolomeo
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
| | - Laurent Cohen
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75013, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de la Pitie Salpêtrière, Fédération de Neurologie, 75013 Paris, France
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Levine SM, Kumpf M, Rupprecht R, Schwarzbach JV. Supracategorical fear information revealed by aversively conditioning multiple categories. Cogn Neurosci 2020; 12:28-39. [PMID: 33135598 DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2020.1839039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fear-generalization is a critical function for survival, in which an organism extracts information from a specific instantiation of a threat (e.g., the western diamondback rattlesnake in my front yard on Sunday) and learns to fear - and accordingly respond to - pertinent higher-order information (e.g., snakes live in my yard). Previous work investigating fear-conditioning in humans has used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that activity patterns representing stimuli from an aversively-conditioned category (CS+) are more similar to each other than those of a neutral category (CS-). Here we used fMRI and multiple aversively-conditioned categories to ask whether we would find only similarity increases within the CS+ categories or also similarity increases between the CS+ categories. Using representational similarity analysis, we correlated several models to activity patterns underlying different brain regions and found that, following fear-conditioning, between-category and within-category similarity increased for the CS+ categories in the insula, superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and the right temporal pole. When specifically investigating fear-generalization, these between- and within-category effects were detected in the SFG. These results advance prior pattern-based neuroimaging work by exploring the effect of aversively-conditioning multiple categories and indicate an extended role for such regions in potentially representing supracategorical information during fear-learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth M Levine
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University , Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Kumpf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Rupprecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jens V Schwarzbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
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Johnen A, Bertoux M. Psychological and Cognitive Markers of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia-A Clinical Neuropsychologist's View on Diagnostic Criteria and Beyond. Front Neurol 2019; 10:594. [PMID: 31231305 PMCID: PMC6568027 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is the second leading cognitive disorder caused by neurodegeneration in patients under 65 years of age. Characterized by frontal, insular, and/or temporal brain atrophy, patients present with heterogeneous constellations of behavioral and psychological symptoms among which progressive changes in social conduct, lack of empathy, apathy, disinhibited behaviors, and cognitive impairments are frequently observed. Since the histopathology of the disease is heterogeneous and identified genetic mutations only account for ~30% of cases, there are no reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis of bvFTD available in clinical routine as yet. Early detection of bvFTD thus relies on correct application of clinical diagnostic criteria. Their evaluation however, requires expertise and in-depth assessments of cognitive functions, history taking, clinical observations as well as caregiver reports on behavioral and psychological symptoms and their respective changes. With this review, we aim for a critical appraisal of common methods to access the behavioral and psychological symptoms as well as the cognitive alterations presented in the diagnostic criteria for bvFTD. We highlight both, practical difficulties as well as current controversies regarding an overlap of symptoms and particularly cognitive impairments with other neurodegenerative and primary psychiatric diseases. We then review more recent developments and evidence on cognitive, behavioral and psychological symptoms of bvFTD beyond the diagnostic criteria which may prospectively enhance the early detection and differential diagnosis in clinical routine. In particular, evidence on specific impairments in social and emotional processing, praxis abilities as well as interoceptive processing in bvFTD is summarized and potential links with behavior and classic cognitive domains are discussed. We finally outline both, future opportunities and major challenges with regard to the role of clinical neuropsychology in detecting bvFTD and related neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Johnen
- Section for Neuropsychology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Maxime Bertoux
- Univ Lille, Inserm UMR 1171 Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, CHU Lille, Lille, France
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