Functions of the frontal cortex of the rat: a comparative review

Abstract

This review summarizes the anatomical and functional organization of the frontal cortex of the rat in comparison to primates. Lesions of the primary motor or of the prefrontal cortex of both primates and rodents produce a consistent constellation of symptoms that are strikingly similar across species as diverse as rats and humans. Thus, in spite of the tremendous difference in the relative volume of the frontal cortex of mammals, as well as the obvious diversity of behavioral repertoires across mammalian phylogeny, there appears to be a remarkable unity in frontal cortex function across the class mammalia. Hence, motor and prefrontal lesions produce analogous alterations in motor control in rodents and primates even though humans walk upright and have fine control of digit movement and rats walk on all fours and have less dextrous control of distal movements. Similarly, there are analogous changes in behaviors that can be labeled response inhibition, temporal ordering, spatial orientation, social or affective behavior, behavioral spontaneity, olfaction and habituation following prefrontal cortex lesions in both primates and rodents. Finally, it is proposed that the principal function of the prefrontal cortex of mammals is the temporal organization of behavior.