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Prefrontal Cortex

Kathy Le

English 363

Professor Leslie Bruce

8 December 2022
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Phineas Gage’s Brain Injury

Phineas Gage’s Brain Injury

In 1848, Phineas Gage's left side of the brain struck by a large

iron rod that destroyed his frontal lobe. The incident caused

Gage to have an altered personality and reveals that the brain

has a significant impact on cognitive function and behaviors,

which leads to the importance of the frontal lobe and the study

of the brain. Before the accident, Gage was well known as

dependable, efficient, and work ethic; however, after, the

executive function of his brain changed into impulsive, disorganized, and stubborn. His language

has altered to more colorful profanity, and his personality has altered (Guidotti). Warren

Anatomical Museum, Dominic Hall, curator emphasizes, “Because he was extraordinarily

unlucky to have an iron bar borne through his skull, but equally lucky to have survived, on such

a low level of care,” said Hall. “We are lucky, to have him.” (Brown) Gage brain injury leads

many neuroscientists to study the brain and significantly impacts behavior and personality.

The Prefrontal Cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC), located in the anterior part

of the brain that portion of frontal lobe, controls

cognitive function, social skill behaviors, and attention

span. This part of the brain interprets the actions and

behaviors corresponding to internal goals or thoughts. It

allows the executive to differentiate conflicts between

ethics, morals, and remorse. The region's interconnection with those with mental disorders,

psychological issues, and drug abuse (SOP). Below are illustrations and demonstrations of what

the prefrontal cortex contributes.

Subdivision of Prefrontal Cortex (below illustrates the location of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Cortex, Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex, and Orbitofrontal Cortex)

The PFC has three divided parts that have a distinctive function in each. Each part connects of

the front part of the brain that interconnects to the reason of a person’s thought process, cognitive

development, social interaction, memory, and consciousness. The PFC interconnects with

amygdala ( locate medical part of the temporal lobe—near the ear), hypothalamus (located at the

base of the brain—releases hormones), midbrain, and pons of the brain (located next to the

hypothalamus, known to be the brain stem of the body that connects the brain and the body);

they represents the extended function of the prefrontal neural system (Siddiqui etc.). The

significance of the interconnection of other parts of the brain demonstrates how the PFC is vital

in species.

Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC)

  The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) known as part of the Broca’s area (located

at the frontal left side of the brain), ventral portion (located at the Broca’s region—receptive to

speech language and comprehension skills) of the premotor cortex, the region concerning

abstract mediation of verbal expression of language (Neuropsychology of Prefrontal Cortex).

DLPFC associates executive function learning memory, reconfiguration, prevention of

interference, inhibition, and planning (Hertrich, I., Dietrich, S., Blum, C., & Ackermann, H.).
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DLPFC has a language-related function conveying speech and intaking messages. This part of

the brain conveys the though-process.

Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC)

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) lies on the ventral side (bottom) of the frontal lobe at the base of

the anterior cranial fossa (Siddiqui etc.). The bottom portion of the OFC forms by agranular

cortex and the intermediate portion of the dysgranular cortex (Siddiqui etc.). OFC is associated

with emotional behavior. People with a damaged OFC correlate with socio-emotional dyscontrol.

They would have a disadvantage in decision-making, “an inability to evoke appropriate somatic-

feeling inform advantageous response selection” (Altemus, M., McEwen etc.)

Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (vmPFC)

  The medial frontal forms “a vertical sulcus emerges from the cingulate sulcus above the

midpoint of the corpus callosum” (Siddiqui etc.). This part of the brain interconnects with

emotional and rational thoughts impacting financial decisions towards others (Beadle, J. N.,
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Paradiso, S., & Tranel, D.). Based on a clinical research study, a damaged vmPFC reduced the

capacity to make minor decisions, major decisions ranging from choosing the restaurant to eat to

monetary investments, like gambling or stocks (Beadle, J. N., Paradiso, S., & Tranel, D.). 

Brain Maturity (below illustration of various stages of brain development)

Although many believe

cognitive ability matures at age 25,

it could develop between ages 10-

24, influence by genetics and

external environment, prenatal and

postnatal care, nutrition and health

status, sleep pattern and

pharmaceutical therapy during

childhood, correlates early child development, as well as internal environment—physical and

mental health, economical and psychological stress can influence the development and maturity

of the adolescent brain (Arian etc.). With these contributions, many of these factors could cause

an underdeveloped brain. Consumption of the illustration (above) correlates to what may stunt

brain development.

Conclusion:

 The importance of the prefrontal cortex represents human ability to critically analyze and

comprehend information, overall this part of the brain development is crucial. The brain

function juxtaposes brain trauma and brain development caused by internal and external

environment. Any division of the prefrontal cortex (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,
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orbitofrontal cortex, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) can change major factors that

alternates personality and executive function, which can change many factors to a person’s life

that could progress growth or even stunt brain development. Unlike any other part of the brain,

the PFC plays a significant role in the human thought process, from conveying their message to

organizing and planning long-life and short-term goals. With the inability to have a mature brain,

the brain cannot fully function to its fullest potential. 

Works Cited

Altemus, M., McEwen, B., Protopopescu, X., Pan, H., Polanecsky, M., Silbersweig, D., Stern,

E., Orbitofrontal Cortex Activity Related to Emotional Processing Changes Across the

Menstrual Cycle. PNAS. Oct, 24, 2005. 102 (44) 16060-16065.

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0502818102

Arain, M., Haque, M., Johal, L., Mathur, P., Nel, W., Rais, A., Sandhu, R., & Sharma, S. (2012).

Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 9, 449-461.

https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S39776

Beadle, J. N., Paradiso, S., & Tranel, D. (2017). Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Is Critical for

Helping Others Who Are Suffering. Frontiers in

Neurology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00288

Brown, N. “Lessons of the Brain: The Phineas Gage story.” The Harvard Gazette. Oct 29, 2015.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/10/lessons-of-the-brain-the-phineas-gage-

story/

Dolan, E. “Study suggests that prefrontal cortex damage can have paradoxical effect on

rationality.” PsyPost. September 8, 2021. https://www.psypost.org/2021/09/study-

suggests-that-prefrontal-cortex-damage-can-have-a-paradoxical-effect-on-rationality-

61827

Hertrich, I., Dietrich, S., Blum, C., & Ackermann, H. (2020). The Role of the Dorsolateral

Prefrontal Cortex for Speech and Language Processing. Frontiers in Human

Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.645209
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Huey, E.D., Krueger, F., & Grafman, J.H. (2006). Representations in the Human Prefrontal

Cortex. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 167 - 171.

Guidotti, T. (2012). Phineas Gage and His Frontal Lobe—The “American Crowbar

Case.” Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 67(4), 249–250. https://doi-

org.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/10.1080/19338244.2012.722469

Siddiqui SV, Chatterjee U, Kumar D, Siddiqui A, Goyal N. Neuropsychology of prefrontal

cortex. Indian J Psychiatry. 2008 Jul;50(3):202-8. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.43634. PMID:

19742233; PMCID: PMC2738354.

SOP. “Prefrontal Cortex.” SOP. https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.com/prefrontal-cortex/.

January 4, 2017

Yin, H. “Why is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) the favorite region to stimulate?”

News Frontiers Psychiatry. https://www.newfrontierspsychiatry.com/why-is-the-

dorsolatereral-prefrontal-cortex-dlpfc-the-favorite-region-to-stimulate/