Brodmann area 25

Brodmann area 25 (BA25), also known as the subgenual area or subgenual cingulate, is a region of the cerebral cortex in the brain. It is part of the Brodmann areas, a classification system of the brain's cortical areas based on their cytoarchitectonic characteristics, named after the German neurologist Korbinian Brodmann who first described them in the early 20th century.

Anatomy

BA25 is located in the cingulate cortex, specifically in the subgenual region, which is below the genus of the corpus callosum. It is surrounded by other Brodmann areas, including BA24 anteriorly, BA32 dorsally, and BA33 posteriorly.

Function

The exact function of BA25 is not fully understood, but it is believed to play a role in various cognitive and emotional processes. It has been implicated in mood disorders, particularly depression, and is a target for deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant depression. BA25 is also thought to be involved in reward processing, emotion regulation, and stress response.

Clinical significance

Due to its association with mood disorders, BA25 has been the focus of many clinical studies. Hyperactivity in BA25 has been observed in patients with depression, and this hyperactivity is often reduced following successful treatment. Conversely, hypoactivity in BA25 has been associated with anhedonia, a symptom of depression characterized by a lack of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyable activities.

Research

Research into BA25 is ongoing, with studies using techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate its structure and function. These studies aim to further our understanding of BA25 and its role in mood disorders, which could potentially lead to new treatments.

See also

• Brodmann area
• Cingulate cortex
• Deep brain stimulation
• Mood disorder