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The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the response to negative emotional events

L. Carretié, S. López-Martín, J. Albert [REV NEUROL 2010;50:245-252] PMID: 20198597 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.5004.2009292

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Volumen 50 | Number 04 | Nº of views of the article 63.472 | Nº of PDF downloads 2.428 | Article publication date 16/02/2010

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION This review presents data showing the key role of ventromedial prefrontal cortex (here defined as an extensive area that includes ventral and medial prefrontal cortices) in the neural circuitry in charge of responding to negative events (i.e., dangerous, painful or disgusting). DEVELOPMENT. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex has rapid access to visual information and, in consequence, is able to react to negative visual events at approximately 100-150 ms from the stimulus onset. Its response to this type of stimulation, even when it is unconsciously perceived, is more intense than to non-negative stimuli. The main connections of this prefrontal area with sensorial structures (both up, in order to get incoming sensory information, and down, modulating the activity of these areas), with regions in charge of cognitive processes relevant to take a decision on how to cope with the negative stimulus (e.g., memory, action planning), and with areas in charge of autonomic and motor execution, are described.

CONCLUSIONS An integrative schema of the role of ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the response to negative events is provided. KeywordsAmygdala Anterior cingulate cortex Anterior insula Danger Emotion Hippocampus Motor performance structures Thalamus Ventromedial prefrontal cortex Visual cortex

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The role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the response to negative emotional events