Concept-based behavioral planning and the lateral prefrontal cortex

• Published in: Trends in cognitive sciences Vol. 11; no. 12; pp. 528 - 534
• Main Authors: Tanji, Jun, Shima, Keisetsu, Mushiake, Hajime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anatomical correlates of behavior; Animals; Behavior - physiology; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Concept Formation - physiology; Decision Making; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Goals; Humans; Motor Skills - physiology; Neurology; Prefrontal Cortex - physiology; Problem Solving - physiology; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Executive function; Central nervous system; Monkey; Cognition; Review; Prefrontal cortex; Encephalon; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Animal; Primates; Planning; Cognitive control
• ISSN: 1364-6613; 1879-307X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2007.09.007

Many lines of evidence implicate the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) in the executive control of behavior. In early studies, neuronal activity in this area was thought to retain information about forthcoming movements for a short period until they were executed. However, later studies have stressed its role in the cognitive aspects of behavioral planning, such as behavioral significance, behavioral rules and behavioral goals. The consequence of the intended action (i.e. a change in the state of the target object), rather than the intended movement, is primarily represented in the LPFC during planning. Recent studies show that the LPFC is involved in more abstract aspects of conceptual processes, such as in representing categories of multiple actions at the stage of behavioral planning.