The functional neuroanatomy of decision-making

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2012 Summer;24(3):266-77. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11060139.

Abstract

Decision-making is a complex executive function that draws on past experience, present goals, and anticipation of outcome, and which is influenced by prevailing and predicted emotional tone and cultural context. Functional imaging investigations and focal lesion studies identify the orbitofrontal, anterior cingulate, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices as critical to decision-making. The authors review the connections of these prefrontal regions with the neocortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, and cerebellum, highlight current ideas regarding the cognitive processes of decision-making that these networks subserve, and present a novel integrated neuroanatomical model for decision-making. Finally, clinical relevance of this circuitry is illustrated through a discussion of frontotemporal dementia, traumatic brain injury, and sociopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / complications
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / psychology
  • Cerebral Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Decision Making / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Nerve Net / pathology
  • Nerve Net / physiopathology
  • Neural Pathways / anatomy & histology
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Neuroanatomy*
  • Neuropsychological Tests