Cingulate Cortex
Published: Jul 16, 2023
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Updated: Jul 21, 2023
Written by Oseh Mathias
Founder, SpeechFit
The cingulate cortex is an integral part of the brain situated in the medial aspect of the cerebral hemispheres. It is a component of the limbic system, which plays a role in emotional processing and memory[1]. The cingulate cortex lies immediately above the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres[2].
The cingulate cortex itself can be further divided into two main regions: the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)[4].
The anterior cingulate cortex is involved in a multitude of cognitive and emotional functions, including decision-making, anticipation of reward, empathy, impulse control, and emotion[6]. Furthermore, it is implicated in error detection and conflict monitoring, meaning it helps identify when something is not as expected, initiating the necessary adjustments[7].
The posterior cingulate cortex, including the retrosplenial area, has a significant role in memory retrieval, consciousness, and spatial orientation[8].
The retrosplenial area, situated posterior to the splenium of the corpus callosum, is particularly crucial for spatial memory and navigation[9]. It assists in forming and retrieving episodic memory, including the ability to remember routes in a spatial environment[10]. The retrosplenial area is also considered part of the default mode network (DMN), a network of interacting brain regions that is active when the individual is not focused on the outside world and the brain is in a state of wakeful rest[11].
Oseh is a software engineer, entrepreneur and founder of SpeechFit. Oseh is passionate about improving health and wellbeing outcomes for neurodiverse people and healthcare providers alike.
References
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Vogt, B. (2009). Regions and subregions of the cingulate gyrus. Cingulate Neurobiology and Disease. Oxford University Press. p. 3-30.
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Epstein RA. (2008). Parahippocampal and retrosplenial contributions to human spatial navigation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 12(10):388-396.
Miller AM, Vedder LC, Law LM, Smith DM. (2014). Cues, context, and long-term memory: the role of the retrosplenial cortex in spatial cognition. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 8:586.
Buckner RL, Andrews-Hanna JR, Schacter DL. (2008). The brain's default network: anatomy, function, and relevance to disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1124:1-38.