Cingulate gyrus

Cingulate Gyrus

The cingulate gyrus is a part of the brain that plays a key role in various cognitive functions. It is located in the medial part of the cerebral cortex, above the corpus callosum, and is a component of the limbic system.

Anatomy

The cingulate gyrus is a curved, elongated ridge of the brain. It is divided into two parts: the anterior cingulate gyrus and the posterior cingulate gyrus. The anterior part is connected to the prefrontal cortex, a region involved in decision-making and emotion regulation, while the posterior part is linked to the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation.

Function

The cingulate gyrus is involved in several important functions. It plays a role in emotion processing, learning, memory, and attention. It is also involved in pain perception and social cognition.

In emotion processing, the cingulate gyrus is thought to regulate aggressive behavior and emotional responses. In learning and memory, it is believed to contribute to the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones. In attention, it is involved in the selection and maintenance of relevant information. In pain perception, it is thought to be involved in the emotional aspect of pain. In social cognition, it is believed to play a role in understanding others' emotions and intentions.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the cingulate gyrus have been associated with several neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders. These include schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In schizophrenia, alterations in the cingulate gyrus have been linked to symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. In depression and bipolar disorder, changes in the cingulate gyrus have been associated with mood dysregulation. In Alzheimer's disease, atrophy of the cingulate gyrus has been observed. In ADHD, abnormalities in the cingulate gyrus have been linked to attention deficits.

See also

• Brain
• Cerebral cortex
• Limbic system
• Neuroanatomy
• Neuroscience