- The cingulate gyrus is a curved fold located on the medial aspect of the cerebral cortex, sitting just above the corpus callosum and forming a major part of the limbic system. It extends from the frontal lobe through the parietal lobe and curves into the temporal lobe.
- This structure is functionally diverse and plays an essential role in emotion processing, behavior regulation, pain perception, attention, and autonomic control.
- Its unique anatomical position enables it to serve as a bridge between emotional and cognitive brain systems, integrating information from the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, and sensory cortices.
- The cingulate gyrus is often divided into two main regions: the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), each with distinct functions. The ACC is primarily involved in emotional regulation, decision-making, impulse control, and error detection. It helps monitor conflicts in behavior (such as when a person is faced with a difficult choice or a moral dilemma) and contributes to adaptive responses. The ACC is also activated during experiences of physical and emotional pain, making it critical in empathy and social behavior. In contrast, the PCC is more involved in self-referential thinking, memory retrieval, and aspects of conscious awareness. It is a core node in the default mode network (DMN), which is active when the brain is at rest and not focused on external tasks.
- The cingulate gyrus also plays a key role in attention and cognitive control. It helps determine which stimuli deserve focus and which can be ignored, integrating emotional and sensory inputs to guide behavior. For example, in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations, the cingulate gyrus contributes to heightened alertness and prepares the brain to respond to changes in the environment. This function is essential for goal-directed behavior and maintaining mental flexibility.
- Dysfunction of the cingulate gyrus has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Abnormal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reduced connectivity or metabolic activity in the posterior cingulate cortex has been observed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, affecting memory and self-awareness. Because of its involvement in mood regulation and behavior, the cingulate gyrus has also been targeted in certain neurosurgical procedures, such as cingulotomy, used in severe, treatment-resistant OCD.
