Intraparietal cortex

Intraparietal Cortex

The intraparietal cortex (IPC) is a region of the parietal lobe in the brain that plays a crucial role in the integration of sensory information and the coordination of motor actions. It is involved in various cognitive functions, including visuospatial processing, attention, and numerical cognition.

Anatomy

The intraparietal cortex is located in the posterior part of the parietal lobe, adjacent to the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe. It is divided into several subregions, each with distinct functions:

• Lateral intraparietal area (LIP): Involved in eye movements and visual attention.
• Anterior intraparietal area (AIP): Associated with object manipulation and hand-eye coordination.
• Medial intraparietal area (MIP): Plays a role in reaching movements and spatial awareness.
• Ventral intraparietal area (VIP): Integrates visual and somatosensory information.

Functions

The intraparietal cortex is essential for several high-level cognitive functions:

• Visuospatial Processing: The IPC helps in the perception and interpretation of spatial relationships between objects.
• Attention: It is involved in directing and maintaining attention to relevant stimuli.
• Numerical Cognition: The IPC is crucial for understanding and manipulating numerical information, such as counting and arithmetic.
• Motor Coordination: It integrates sensory information to guide motor actions, particularly those involving the hands and eyes.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the intraparietal cortex can result in various neurological deficits, including:

• Balint's syndrome: Characterized by difficulties in visual attention and motor coordination.
• Acalculia: Impairment in performing mathematical calculations.
• Optic ataxia: Difficulty in reaching for objects under visual guidance.

Research

Ongoing research is exploring the role of the intraparietal cortex in neuroplasticity and its potential involvement in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia.

Related Pages

• Parietal lobe
• Visuospatial processing
• Attention
• Numerical cognition
• Balint's syndrome
• Acalculia
• Optic ataxia