Anterior cingulate gyrus

Anterior Cingulate Gyrus

The Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (ACG) is a part of the brain that plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions. It is located in the medial prefrontal cortex, which is at the front of the corpus callosum. The ACG is a part of the cingulate cortex, which is divided into the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex.

Structure

The Anterior Cingulate Gyrus is a curved gyrus in the medial part of the brain, wrapping around the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers that connect the two hemispheres of the brain. It is part of the limbic system, a group of structures in the brain that manage emotions and memory.

Function

The ACG is involved in several complex cognitive functions, including decision making, emotion, and reward anticipation. It is also implicated in certain higher-level functions such as consciousness and social cognition.

Decision Making

The ACG plays a significant role in decision making. It is involved in the evaluation of potential rewards and punishments, which is a crucial part of the decision-making process.

Emotion

The ACG is also involved in emotion processing. It is particularly associated with the processing of negative emotions, such as fear and sadness.

Reward Anticipation

The ACG is involved in anticipating rewards. It is thought to contribute to the experience of pleasure and excitement that comes with expecting a positive event.

Clinical Significance

Alterations in the structure or function of the ACG have been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

See Also

• Cingulate Cortex
• Posterior Cingulate Cortex
• Medial Prefrontal Cortex
• Corpus Callosum
• Limbic System