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7 - Decision Networks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2025

Stacey A. Bedwell
Affiliation:
King’s College London
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Summary

To date, there is no universally accepted anatomical structural map of the human prefrontal cortex. Ongoing research attempts to uncover the complexities of how networks within the prefrontal cortex, and connecting the prefrontal cortex to other regions across the brain, are structured in detail. Tract tracing studies in rats have revealed that on a broad scale, prefrontal cortex connectivity is consistent with what would be expected based on other cortical regions; that it is comprised of topographically ordered reciprocal connections. However, evidence shows that when visualised on a finer scale, there is more complexity to this structure, that connections appear to move in opposing directions and follow a gradient from anterior to posterior in terms of reciprocity. Further, physiological evidence from humans indicates this gradient of connectivity is replicated on a functional level.

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References

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  • Decision Networks
  • Stacey A. Bedwell, King’s College London
  • Book: Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision-Making
  • Online publication: 14 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009407946.008
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  • Decision Networks
  • Stacey A. Bedwell, King’s College London
  • Book: Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision-Making
  • Online publication: 14 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009407946.008
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Decision Networks
  • Stacey A. Bedwell, King’s College London
  • Book: Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision-Making
  • Online publication: 14 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009407946.008
Available formats
×