title: Frontal-subcortical circuitry and behavior.
abstract: The neuropsychiatric manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases are closely linked to neurocircuitry defects. Frontal-subcortical circuits, in particular, are effector mechanisms that allow the organism to act on its environment. In this paper, we present the three main frontal-subcortical circuits: the dorsolateral prefrontal circuit allows the organization of information to facilitate a response; the anterior cingulate circuit is required for motivated behavior; and the orbitofrontal circuit allows the integration of limbic and emotional information into behavioral responses. Impaired executive functions, apathy, and impulsivity are hallmarks of frontal-subcortical circuit dysfunction. A variety of other neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and mood disorders may result from disturbances that have a direct or indirect impact on the integrity or functioning of these loops.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Graz Medical University, Auenbruggerplatz 31, 8036 Graz, Austria. raphael.bonelli@klinikum-graz.at
authors.forename: Raphael M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*