Alterations of decision making and underlying neural correlates after resection of a mediofrontal cortical dysplasia: A single case study

Neurocase. 2010 Feb;16(1):59-73. doi: 10.1080/13554790903329125.

Abstract

We investigated the impact of a congenital prefrontal lesion and its resection on decision making under risk and under ambiguity in a patient with right mediofrontal cortical dysplasia. Both kinds of decision making are normally associated with the medial prefrontal cortex. We additionally studied pre- and postsurgical fMRI activations when processing information relevant for risky decision making. Results indicate selective impairments of ambiguous decision making pre- and postsurgically. Decision making under risk was intact. In contrast to healthy subjects the patient exhibited no activation within the dysplastic anterior cingulate cortex but left-sided orbitofrontal activation on the fMRI task suggesting early reorganization processes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Carbamide Peroxide
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Decision Making / physiology*
  • Executive Function / physiology
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / blood supply
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Intelligence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / complications*
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / pathology
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / surgery
  • Memory / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology
  • Peroxides / blood
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives
  • Urea / blood

Substances

  • Peroxides
  • Carbamide Peroxide
  • Urea