prefrontal cortex
Decision-making brain region
The prefrontal cortex is the front portion of the brain's frontal lobe, located just behind the forehead.
It governs executive functions—planning, decision-making, impulse control, and social behavior.
The prefrontal cortex develops slowly, not fully maturing until the mid-twenties, which helps explain adolescent risk-taking.
Damage to this area can dramatically alter personality and judgment.
Temporary cognitive holding space
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- planningArranging for future events
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
cognitive flexibility · inhibition · self-monitoring · sequencing · prioritization · problem-solving · abstract thinking · judgment
Ability to restrain impulses
- temperamentInborn behavioral nature
- conscientiousnessCareful attention to duty
- empathySharing another's emotions
- emotional regulationManaging internal feeling states
willpower · moral reasoning · theory of mind · social behavior · motivation · self-awareness · character
Magnetic neural activity imaging
- PET scanRadiotracer-based internal imaging
- electroencephalogramBrain wave recording
- neuroimagingVisualizing nervous system structure
- neuropsychologyScience of brain-cognition relationships
brain stimulation · cognitive testing · neuroscience · case studies
Brain's largest division
- ventromedialToward front-center of body
- gray matterBrain's cognitive tissue
- white matterPale neural fiber tissue
- gyrusCerebral cortex ridge
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- lobotomySevering prefrontal neural pathways
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
- traumatic brain injuryBrain damage from external force
executive dysfunction · disinhibition · poor judgment · risk-taking behavior · emotional dysregulation · perseveration · apathy · antisocial behavior
Fatty nerve coating
- adolescent brainImmature neurological organ
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- brain plasticityNeural network's ability to reorganize
- critical periodOptimal developmental timeframe
cognitive development · early childhood · aging · neurogenesis
working memory
Temporary cognitive holding space
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- planningArranging for future events
reasoning · cognitive flexibility · inhibition · self-monitoring · sequencing · prioritization · problem-solving · abstract thinking · judgment · delayed gratification
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- temperamentInborn behavioral nature
- conscientiousnessCareful attention to duty
- empathySharing another's emotions
emotional regulation · willpower · moral reasoning · theory of mind · social behavior · motivation · self-awareness · character
fMRI
Magnetic neural activity imaging
- PET scanRadiotracer-based internal imaging
- electroencephalogramBrain wave recording
- neuroimagingVisualizing nervous system structure
neuropsychology · brain stimulation · cognitive testing · neuroscience · case studies
cerebrum
Brain's largest division
- ventromedialToward front-center of body
- gray matterBrain's cognitive tissue
- white matterPale neural fiber tissue
ADHD
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- lobotomySevering prefrontal neural pathways
- addictionCompulsive substance reliance
- schizophreniaPsychotic disorder with delusions
traumatic brain injury · executive dysfunction · disinhibition · poor judgment · risk-taking behavior · emotional dysregulation · perseveration · apathy · antisocial behavior
myelination
Fatty nerve coating
- adolescent brainImmature neurological organ
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- brain plasticityNeural network's ability to reorganize
critical period · cognitive development · early childhood · aging · neurogenesis
- brain anatomybrain, cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, neurons
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- neuroanatomybrain, cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
- brain partscerebellum, hippocampus, brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus
- brain regionscerebrum, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, hippocampus
prefrontal cortexlimbic system
Emotional brain structures
amygdala · hypothalamus · brainstem · reptilian brain · lizard brain
prefrontal cortexoccipital lobe
Posterior brain vision area
cerebellum · visual cortex · brainstem · spinal cord · medulla oblongata
frontal, cortex, cortical, neocortex, prefrontal, corticosteroid, cortices, corticoid