The cingulate gyrus is an arc-shaped structure in the center of
the brain, which is known as the cingulate cortex. This structure
also is referred to as the callosal gyrus in some texts because of
its position directly above the corpus callosum. Commonly
associated with cognitive flexibility, stimulation studies have
found this structure to be responsible for emotional sensations
such as fear, anxiety or pleasure and the associated physical
responses to those emotions.
Animal studies show variation in the thickness and presence
of the cingulate gyrus across the animal kingdom. It is associated
with communication, sociability and maternal behavior. The more
highly developed this structure is in an animal, the more clearly
it expresses language and attachment. Notably, reptiles and
amphibians, which are likely to eat their young, completely lack
this neurological structure.
This part of the brain’s primary function is in facilitating
cognitive adaptability in humans. The cingulate gyrus helps people
to be flexible in learning and processing new situations. Signals
from this structure help people to understand how to alter behavior
in a variety of situations or among different social milieu. For
example, people tend to behave differently when demonstrating their
professionalism at job interviews than they do as spectators at a
hockey game.
Ad
Adaptability, as influenced by this part of the brain, is an
invaluable tool for successfully navigating an unpredictable social
world. A properly functioning cingulate gyrus helps people to
recognize their alternatives, such as selecting a menu item from a
wide range of choices or determining the pros and cons of taking on
a new job. This promotes life-long learning and helps a person to
grow throughout life. This structure, when functioning properly,
helps people to organize realistic goals and promotes future
oriented thinking.
Improper functioning in the cingulate gyrus can cause a
number of disorders related to cognitive inflexibility. Worrying,
argumentativeness and road rage are among problems linked to this
area of the brain. Instead of learning from an embarrassing,
frustrating or hurtful life experience, those who have functional
problems in this part of the brain are likely to dwell on the
negative feelings. Similarly, if this structure is overactive, a
person might tend toward saying “no” without listening to the
question. Abnormal functioning in the cingulate gyrus and its
related structures maight be brought on by stress or brain trauma.
Cingulate gyrus dysfunction is not a medical diagnosis but
presents itself in other recognized disorders. This area of the
brain deals with thought patterns, so cognitive issues such as
obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders and addictions are
linked to this neurological component. These diagnoses share a
common “stuck” quality that is indicative of overactivity in this
brain structure. Some research has indicated that this area of the
brain is abnormally stimulated in cases of autism. Problems related
to the cingulate gyrus are often treated with antidepressant
drugs.
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