Posterior cingulate

Posterior Cingulate

The Posterior Cingulate is a part of the brain located in its medial aspect, towards the back. It is a component of the limbic system and plays a crucial role in various cognitive functions, including memory and attention.

File:Gray727 posterior cingulate.png

Posterior cingulate

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The posterior cingulate is located in the cingulate cortex, posterior to the anterior cingulate cortex. It is divided into two main parts: the ventral posterior cingulate cortex and the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex. The ventral part is involved in emotional processing, while the dorsal part is associated with cognitive functions.

Function[edit | edit source]

The posterior cingulate is involved in various cognitive functions. It plays a significant role in consciousness, self-awareness, and introspection. It is also involved in memory retrieval and attention. The posterior cingulate is particularly active when the mind is at rest and not focused on the outside world, a state known as the default mode network.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Alterations in the posterior cingulate have been associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and depression. In Alzheimer's disease, the posterior cingulate is one of the first regions to show abnormal activity, which can be detected using positron emission tomography (PET).