Cited by 201Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesChild and Animal Learning DevelopmentNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

The development of the ventral prefrontal cortex and social flexibility

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Nelson, Eric E., Guyer, Amanda E.·2011·Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Abstract

Over the last several years a number of studies in both humans and animals have suggested that the orbitofrontal and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices play an important role in generating flexible behavior. We suggest that input from these brain regions contribute to three functions involved in generating flexible behavior within social contexts: valuation, inhibition, and rule use. Recent studies have also demonstrated that the prefrontal cortex undergoes a prolonged course of maturation that extends well after puberty. Here, we review evidence that the prolonged development of these prefrontal regions parallels a slowly emerging ability for flexible social behavior. We also speculate on the possibility that sensitive periods for organizing social behavior may be embedded within this developmental time-fame. Finally, we discuss the role of prefrontal cortex in adolescent mood and anxiety disorders, particularly as orbitofrontal and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices are engaged in a social context.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.dcn.2011.01.002

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  • Collectively, neuroimaging studies demonstrate consistent evidence of engagement in subgenual ACC, vlPFC, posterior midline regions, and ventral striatum during social exclusion; paradigms looking at anticipation/receipt of social evaluative feedback additionally elicit responses in amygdala and medial orbitofrontal cortex.

    “Collectively, these studies demonstrate consistent evidence of engagement in subgenual ACC (sgACC), vlPFC, posterior midline regions, and ventral striatum (for a meta-analysis, see (124)); the paradigms that look at anticipation/receipt of social evaluative feedback additionally elicit responses in amygdala and medial orbitofrontal cortex.(39,122,123,125)”
  • Individual differences in the structural growth and functional fine-tuning of neural circuitry that underpins social-cognitive and affective processing may relate to adolescents' increased and differential sensitivity to social influences.

    “Therefore, individual differences in the structural growth and functional fine-tuning of neural circuitry that underpins social-cognitive and affective processing may relate to adolescents’ increased and differential sensitivity to social influences (Davey et al., 2008, Nelson and Guyer, 2011).”

    From Adolescent neurobiological susceptibility to social context (2016) · cites this paper as Nelson and Guyer, 2011

  • Adolescent behavioral characteristics may partially reflect maturational changes in how the adolescent brain codes and generates responses to social information.

    “These characteristics may partially reflect maturational changes in how the adolescent brain codes and generates responses to social information (Nelson and Guyer, 2011, Steinberg, 2008).”

    From Adolescent neurobiological susceptibility to social context (2016) · cites this paper as Nelson and Guyer, 2011

  • Prevailing theories draw on structural and functional differences that distinguish the adolescent brain from the child or adult brain.

    “Prevailing theories (Casey et al., 2008, Crone and Dahl, 2012, Nelson and Guyer, 2011, Nelson et al., 2005, Pfeifer and Allen, 2012, Steinberg and Morris, 2001) draw on structural and functional differences that distinguish the adolescent brain from the child or adult brain (Casey et al., 2008, Giedd, 2008, Gogtay and Thompson, 2010, Guyer et al., 2008).”

    From Adolescent neurobiological susceptibility to social context (2016) · cites this paper as Nelson and Guyer, 2011

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  1. Stiles J The fundamentals of brain devleopment: Integrating nature and nurture 2008 Cambridge, MA Harvard University Press

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Authors
Nelson, E. E., & Guyer, A. E.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author
Nelson, Eric E.
Venue
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-07
Volume
1
Issue
3
Pages
233-245
ISSN
1878-9293 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2077088386
Cited by
201
References
128
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
0.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (Z99 MH999999)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R00MH080076, K99 MH080076)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
ventral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, social flexibility, behavioral flexibility, prefrontal cortex maturation, sensitive period, social behavior development, anxiety disorders, valuation, inhibition, rule use
MeSH terms
Animals, Emotions, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Social Behavior, Prefrontal Cortex, Mood Disorders

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