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The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, the Apathetic Syndrome, and Free Will

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Activitas Nervosa Superior

Abstract

The prefrontal cortex is deputed to higher functions, such as behavior and personality. It includes three regions: ventromedial, orbitofrontal, and dorsolateral. Each of them has a function. Devising, programming, and planning are all conditions related to the dorsolateral cortex, also responsible for rational content and decision. Damage to this region results in apathetic syndrome, a condition that causes loss of interest, initiative, and attention, and in the most severe cases leads to a lethargic state. It is also known as a form of secondary depression, the so-called pseudo-depression syndrome, according to Karl Kleist or apathetic-abulic-akinetic syndrome, according to Alexander Luria. The prefrontal dorsolateral syndrome is responsible for the reduction or abolition of free will. Free will is an expression of individual freedom. It allows the human being to have and express own opinions as well as to respect those of others. Free will is related to moral sense, a binomial which directs the individual towards a proper social conduct. In this review, we describe the effects of the pseudo-depression syndrome on free will, of which we treat both the anatomical site and the social aspect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro, Campus Germaneto, Vle Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy

    Domenico Chirchiglia, Pasquale Chirchiglia, Rosa Marotta, Dorotea Pugliese, Giusy Guzzi & Serena Lavano

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  1. Domenico Chirchiglia
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  2. Pasquale Chirchiglia
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  3. Rosa Marotta
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  4. Dorotea Pugliese
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Correspondence to Domenico Chirchiglia.

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Chirchiglia, D., Chirchiglia, P., Marotta, R. et al. The Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, the Apathetic Syndrome, and Free Will. Act Nerv Super 61, 136–141 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41470-019-00057-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41470-019-00057-w

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