Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Cognitive Regulation

Abstract

Medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) activation has been observed in studies of many types related to emotion regulation, self and familiar other-knowledge, mentalizing, morality, reward, and uncertainty. Furthermore, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), which have reciprocal connections with MPFC, are considered necessary for cognitive regulation. Based on these findings, Nakao, Takezawa, and Miyatani (2006) proposed an integrative explanation for MPFC function: MPFC has a function of representing a benchmark that reduces conflict among many possible answers by biasing either choice of behavior. In this article, we review studies related to MPFC function and the benchmark hypothesis with recent new findings. Additionally, we discuss emotion regulation, which was not described in Nakao et al. (2006), in relation to the benchmark hypothesis.

Distinction between Externally vs. Internally Guided Decision-Making: Operational Differences, Meta-Analytical Comparisons and Their Theoretical Implications

“…When compared with the judgment task with a clear objective correct answer, several neural substrates’ increased activity has been observed during internally guided decision-making. Although MPFC seems to be observed consistently in internally guided decision-making (Nakao et al, 2009b , 2010b ), no previous report has described examination of which brain regions were activated consistently among internally guided decision-making studies using a quantitative approach. Furthermore, no report has described a study that has investigated the differences and similarities of neural substrates between the two kinds of decision-making representing real-life decision-making (i.e., internally guided decision-making and externally guided decision-making under uncertainty).…”

“…How about the complete absence of one correct answer based on external circumstances, even when given no low-predictability choices? In such cases, we cannot rely on an externally determined objectively correct answer to choose and to regulate one’s own behavior, and the answer and its correctness depends on one’s own, i.e., internal, preferences rather than on circumstantial, i.e., external, criteria (Goldberg and Podell, 1999 , 2000 ; Lieberman and Eisenberger, 2005 ; Volz et al, 2006 ; Nakao et al, 2009b ).…”

“…In addition to such externally guided decision-making, instances of decision-making do exist for which there is no correct answer available for a subject based on external circumstances (Goldberg and Podell, 1999 , 2000 ; Lieberman and Eisenberger, 2005 ; Volz et al, 2006 ; Nakao et al, 2009b ). Such decisions are usually made in the context of moral decision-making (e.g., Moll et al, 2006 ; Greene and Paxton, 2009 ) as well as in the context of preference judgment (Paulus and Frank, 2003 ; Johnson et al, 2005 ; Nakao et al, 2009a , 2010a , c ), where the answer depends on the subject’s own, i.e., internal, preferences rather than on external, i.e., circumstantial, criteria.…”

Self-Knowledge Reduces Conflict by Biasing One of Plural Possible Answers

“…Several researchers have proposed that some internalized representation (e.g., self-knowledge) functions to reduce conflict (Lieberman & Eisenberger, 2005;Nakao, Takezawa, & Miyatani, 2006;Nakao, Takezawa, Miyatani, & Ohira, 2009). Lieberman and Eisenberger (2005) proposed that autobiographical memory (so-called evidence-based selfknowledge) about a past solution to conflicts, as represented in medial temporal lobes, has a function to reduce conflict.…”

Resting-state EEG power predicts conflict-related brain activity in internally guided but not in externally guided decision-making

“…In addition to such externally guided decision-making, instances of decision-making do exist for which no correct answer is available for a subject based on external circumstances Podell, 1999, 2000;Lieberman and Eisenberger, 2005;Mograbi, 2011;Nakao et al, 2009b;Volz et al, 2006), which is called internally guided decisionmaking (Nakao et al, 2012). Such decisions are usually made in the context of preference judgment (Johnson et al, 2005;Knutson et al, 2008;Nakao et al, 2009aNakao et al, , 2010aNakao et al, ,2010bSommer et al, 2010) as well as in the context of moral decision-making (Caspers et al, 2011;Greene et al, 2004;Kahane et al, 2012;Moll et al, 2006), where the answer depends on the subject's own, i.e., internal, preferences rather than on external, i.e.…”