Anterior cingulate cortex: Unique role in cognition and emotion

摘要

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) lies in a unique position in the brain, with connections to both the "emotional" limbic system and the "cognitive" prefrontal cortex. Thus, the ACC likely has an important role in integration of neuronal circuitry for affect regulation and can be identified as a distinctive region in understanding psychopathology. Affect-regulation, the ability to control and manage uncomfortable emotions, is a primary goal for mental health clinicians in treating psychopathology. Avoidance of painful emotions is often the motivating force in negative behaviors such as substance abuse, binge eating, and suicide.