doiSerbia

The anterior cingulate cortex

Pavlović D.M. (Institut za neurologiju, Klinički centar Srbije, Beograd)
Pavlović Aleksandra M. (Institut za neurologiju, Klinički centar Srbije, Beograd)
Lačković Maja (Institut za psihijatriju, Klinički centar Srbije, Beograd)

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has a role in attention, analysis of sensory information, error recognition, problem solving, detection of novelty, behavior, emotions, social relations, cognitive control, and regulation of visceral functions. This area is active whenever the individual feels some emotions, solves a problem, or analyzes the pros and cons of an action (if it is a right decision). Analogous areas are also found in higher mammals, especially whales, and they contain spindle neurons that enable complex social interactions. Disturbance of ACC activity is found in dementias, schizophrenia, depression, the obsessive-compulsive syndrome, and other neuropsychiatric diseases.

Keywords: Anterior cingulate cortex, limbic system, error detection, prefrontal cortex