Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex is an important cell type in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC or DLPFC) is a critical region of the prefrontal cortex located on the superior frontal gyrus, extending from the frontal pole to the precentral sulcus. This area is central to executive functions, working memory, cognitive control, and higher-order processing. The DLPFC is essential for goal-directed behavior, planning, and the temporal organization of complex tasks. [1]
The DLPFC occupies: [2]
Bordered by: [3]
Six-layer neocortex: [4]
The DLPFC mediates:
Three components:
DLPFC function heavily relies on dopamine:
Excitatory transmission:
Inhibition:
Major connections include:
Receives from:
Sends to:
DLPFC function assessed via:
TMS for depression
tDCS for cognitive enhancement
Prefrontal Cortex — Parent region
Executive Function — Cognitive process
Working Memory — Memory type
Alzheimer's Disease Disease association
Cognitive Decline — Symptom
The study of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Miller EK, Cohen JD. An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001. ↩︎
Arnsten AF. Through the looking glass: differential noradrenergic modulation of prefrontal cortical function. Neural Plast. 2000. ↩︎
Owen AM, McMillan KM, Laird AR, Bullmore E. N-back working memory paradigm: a meta-analysis of normative functional neuroimaging. Hum Brain Mapp. 2005. ↩︎
Petrides M. Lateral prefrontal cortex: architectonic and functional organization. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2005. ↩︎