Precuneus
(Redirected from Praecuneus)
The precuneus is a part of the brain located on the medial surface of the parietal lobe. It is situated between the cuneus and the paracentral lobule, and is bounded anteriorly by the marginal sulcus and posteriorly by the parieto-occipital sulcus. The precuneus is involved in a variety of complex functions, including visuospatial processing, episodic memory, and aspects of consciousness.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The precuneus is a subdivision of the parietal lobe and is located in the medial part of the brain. It is bordered by the cingulate gyrus inferiorly and the superior parietal lobule laterally. The region is supplied by branches of the posterior cerebral artery and the anterior cerebral artery.
Functions[edit | edit source]
The precuneus is implicated in several high-level cognitive functions:
- Visuospatial Processing: The precuneus plays a crucial role in spatial orientation and the perception of the environment.
- Episodic Memory: It is involved in the retrieval of autobiographical memories and the mental imagery associated with these memories.
- Self-Referential Processing: The precuneus is active during tasks that involve self-reflection and the contemplation of one's own thoughts and feelings.
- Consciousness: Studies have shown that the precuneus is active during states of wakefulness and conscious awareness.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage to the precuneus can result in a variety of neurological deficits. Lesions in this area can lead to impairments in memory, spatial awareness, and self-perception. Additionally, abnormalities in the precuneus have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Research[edit | edit source]
Recent research has focused on the role of the precuneus in the default mode network (DMN), a network of brain regions that are active when the brain is at rest and not focused on the external environment. The precuneus is considered a central node in this network, contributing to the brain's baseline activity and internal thought processes.
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