Cell Types
Pyramidal cells:
Excitatory via glutamate
Granule cells:
Spiny cells excitatory
Non-spiny cells inhibitory

Cerebral Laminae
Laminated appearance due to differences in cell type, size, and density.

Neocortical Laminae
Pia Mater

Regional Laminar Variations

Neocortex
Connectivity
Major connections of neocortex includes:
Cortical afferents and efferents organized within internal capsule.

Neocortex
Fiber Paths
All fibers pass through centrum semiovale.
Fibers connecting cortical and subcortical regions also pass through corona radiata and internal capsule.

Association Bundles

Functional Columns
Cortical neurons arranged in vertical columns ⟾ functional units.
Involves processing of multiple inputs and outputs.
Very complex interconnectivity.
Depends on early stimulation for normal development.
Ex. visual cortex with orientation & ocular dominance columns.

Centralized
Neurotransmitters
Distal Neurotransmitter Systems
Transmitters arising from remote neurons.
Often project broadly across neocortex.

Lateralization
Each cortical lobe with one or more major functions.
Each lobe with lateralization ⟾ left side controls right body.
Left cerebral hemisphere dominant in most people.

Blood Supply

Epilepsy

Frontal Lobe
Areas
5 functional areas:

Frontal Lobe Functions

Prefrontal Cortex
Functions
Functions:
Neurons react to visual, auditory, somatic, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli.
May be mono, bi, or trimodal but show target specificity.
Finishes maturing relatively late in mid-twenties.
Patients with damage to prefrontal lobe unable to sustain a plan of action and meet goals.

Prefrontal Cortex
Anatomy
Brodmann’s areas 9, 10, 11, 12, 46, 47.
Two main regions:

Prefrontal Hypothesis of Consciousness
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Lesions
Apathetic, lifeless, abulic state.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
Lesion
Impulsive, disinhibited behavior.
Prefrontal Cortex
Associated Diseases
Most common cognitive disorders associated with attention deficit:
Schizophrenia
Symptoms
Schizophrenics w/ similar cognitive sx as damaged prefrontal cortex.
Schizophrenia
Dopamine Hypothesis
Schizophrenia
Glutamate Hypothesis
Hypofunctional glutamate system → decreased prefrontal cortex function (hypofrontality).
Schizophrenia-like sx reproduced in healthy pepole with NDMA glutamate receptor antagonists (e.g ketamine/PCP).
Does not negate dopamine hypothesis.
Suggests ∆ in both glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems involved.