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'''Anterior Cingulate Cortex'''
{{Short description|Part of the brain involved in various functions including emotion and cognition}}


The '''anterior cingulate cortex''' (ACC) is a part of the brain situated in the medial frontal lobe. It is involved in a wide array of cognitive and emotional functions, including decision-making, impulse control, emotion, and pain. The ACC has been the subject of extensive research, highlighting its complex role in the human brain.
The '''anterior cingulate cortex''' (ACC) is a part of the [[brain]] located in the [[frontal lobe]]. It plays a crucial role in a wide range of autonomic functions, such as regulating blood pressure and heart rate, as well as higher-level functions, including [[decision-making]], [[empathy]], [[impulse control]], and [[emotion]].


==Structure==
==Anatomy==
The anterior cingulate cortex is part of the [[cingulate cortex]], which is located immediately above the [[corpus callosum]]—a large bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres. The ACC is divided into the dorsal and ventral regions, each associated with different functions. The dorsal ACC is primarily involved in cognitive processes, such as attention and decision-making, while the ventral ACC is linked to emotional regulation and response to pain.
The anterior cingulate cortex is situated in the medial aspect of the brain's frontal lobes. It forms a part of the [[cingulate cortex]], which encircles the [[corpus callosum]]. The ACC is divided into two main areas: the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC).


==Function==
===Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex===
The ACC plays a crucial role in several cognitive and emotional processes:
The dACC is primarily involved in cognitive functions such as [[error detection]], [[anticipation of tasks]], and [[attention]]. It is connected to the [[prefrontal cortex]] and the [[parietal lobe]], which are involved in executive functions and sensory processing, respectively.


* '''Cognitive Control and Decision Making''': The ACC is involved in the modulation of cognitive control, which includes planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It helps in assessing the outcomes of actions and making adjustments to behavior based on those assessments.
===Ventral Anterior Cingulate Cortex===
The vACC is more involved in emotional regulation and is connected to the [[amygdala]], [[nucleus accumbens]], and the [[hypothalamus]]. These connections allow the vACC to play a role in processing emotions and regulating autonomic responses.


* '''Emotion''': This region is also key in processing emotions. It helps in evaluating emotional information and regulating emotional responses.
==Functions==
The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in a variety of functions:


* '''Pain Perception''': The ACC is implicated in the subjective experience of pain. It not only processes the emotional aspect of pain but also plays a role in the anticipation of painful stimuli.
* '''Emotion Regulation''': The ACC is crucial in processing emotions and is involved in the regulation of emotional responses. It helps in the assessment of emotional stimuli and the generation of appropriate emotional reactions.


* '''Error Detection and Conflict Monitoring''': The ACC is thought to be involved in detecting errors and monitoring conflicts in information processing, such as when a person is presented with incompatible information or choices.
* '''Cognitive Control''': The ACC is involved in cognitive processes such as [[conflict monitoring]], [[error detection]], and [[decision-making]]. It helps in evaluating the outcomes of actions and adjusting behavior accordingly.
 
* '''Pain Perception''': The ACC is activated during the experience of pain and is thought to be involved in the emotional aspect of pain perception.
 
* '''Autonomic Functions''': The ACC regulates autonomic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, particularly in response to stress or emotional stimuli.


==Clinical Significance==
==Clinical Significance==
Abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex have been linked to several neuropsychiatric disorders:
Dysfunction in the anterior cingulate cortex has been implicated in several psychiatric and neurological disorders:


* '''Depression''': Changes in the activity and structure of the ACC have been observed in individuals with depression, particularly in the regions associated with emotion.
* '''[[Depression]]''': Abnormal activity in the ACC has been associated with major depressive disorder, particularly in the regulation of mood and emotional responses.


* '''Anxiety Disorders''': The ACC is involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, where it may contribute to heightened response to perceived threats.
* '''[[Anxiety Disorders]]''': The ACC is involved in the processing of fear and anxiety, and its dysfunction can contribute to anxiety disorders.


* '''Schizophrenia''': Schizophrenia has been associated with dysfunctions in the ACC, affecting cognitive control and decision-making processes.
* '''[[Schizophrenia]]''': Altered ACC activity has been observed in individuals with schizophrenia, affecting cognitive and emotional processing.


* '''Chronic Pain''': Alterations in the ACC's response to pain are observed in chronic pain conditions, affecting pain perception and emotional response to pain.
* '''[[Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]] (ADHD)''': The ACC's role in attention and impulse control is relevant to the symptoms of ADHD.


==Research and Imaging==
==Imaging and Research==
Advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as [[functional magnetic resonance imaging]] (fMRI) and [[positron emission tomography]] (PET), have facilitated detailed studies of the ACC's role in the brain. These studies have helped in understanding the functional connectivity of the ACC with other brain regions and its involvement in various cognitive and emotional processes.
Functional [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (fMRI) and [[positron emission tomography]] (PET) scans have been used to study the activity of the ACC in various tasks and conditions. These imaging techniques have provided insights into the role of the ACC in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric disorders.


==Conclusion==
==Related pages==
The anterior cingulate cortex is a complex brain region with critical roles in cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and pain perception. Its involvement in various neuropsychiatric disorders highlights the importance of further research to understand its functions and potential therapeutic targets.
* [[Cingulate cortex]]
* [[Prefrontal cortex]]
* [[Amygdala]]
* [[Nucleus accumbens]]
* [[Hypothalamus]]


[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
[[Category:Neuroanatomy]]
[[Category:Cerebrum]]
[[Category:Frontal lobe]]
[[Category:Frontal lobe]]
 
[[Category:Brain]]
{{Neuroscience-stub}}
{{Medicine-stub}}
<gallery>
File:Gray727_anterior_cingulate_cortex.png|Anterior cingulate cortex
File:Gray727-Brodman.png|Brodmann areas in the anterior cingulate cortex
File:MRI_anterior_cingulate.png|MRI of the anterior cingulate cortex
File:Anterior_cingulate_gyrus_animation.gif|Animation of the anterior cingulate gyrus
File:Medial_surface_of_cerebral_cortex_-_gyri.png|Medial surface of cerebral cortex - gyri
File:Anterior_Cingulate_Cortex.png|Anterior cingulate cortex
File:Caudal_Anterior_Cingulate_-_DK_ATLAS.png|Caudal anterior cingulate - DK ATLAS
File:Rostral_Anterior_Cingulate_-_DK_ATLAS.png|Rostral anterior cingulate - DK ATLAS
</gallery>

Revision as of 17:33, 18 February 2025

Part of the brain involved in various functions including emotion and cognition


The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a part of the brain located in the frontal lobe. It plays a crucial role in a wide range of autonomic functions, such as regulating blood pressure and heart rate, as well as higher-level functions, including decision-making, empathy, impulse control, and emotion.

Anatomy

The anterior cingulate cortex is situated in the medial aspect of the brain's frontal lobes. It forms a part of the cingulate cortex, which encircles the corpus callosum. The ACC is divided into two main areas: the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC).

Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex

The dACC is primarily involved in cognitive functions such as error detection, anticipation of tasks, and attention. It is connected to the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe, which are involved in executive functions and sensory processing, respectively.

Ventral Anterior Cingulate Cortex

The vACC is more involved in emotional regulation and is connected to the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and the hypothalamus. These connections allow the vACC to play a role in processing emotions and regulating autonomic responses.

Functions

The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in a variety of functions:

  • Emotion Regulation: The ACC is crucial in processing emotions and is involved in the regulation of emotional responses. It helps in the assessment of emotional stimuli and the generation of appropriate emotional reactions.
  • Pain Perception: The ACC is activated during the experience of pain and is thought to be involved in the emotional aspect of pain perception.
  • Autonomic Functions: The ACC regulates autonomic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, particularly in response to stress or emotional stimuli.

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction in the anterior cingulate cortex has been implicated in several psychiatric and neurological disorders:

  • Depression: Abnormal activity in the ACC has been associated with major depressive disorder, particularly in the regulation of mood and emotional responses.
  • Anxiety Disorders: The ACC is involved in the processing of fear and anxiety, and its dysfunction can contribute to anxiety disorders.
  • Schizophrenia: Altered ACC activity has been observed in individuals with schizophrenia, affecting cognitive and emotional processing.

Imaging and Research

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans have been used to study the activity of the ACC in various tasks and conditions. These imaging techniques have provided insights into the role of the ACC in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric disorders.

Related pages

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