Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:20:11 BST CiteULike: Group: Glimcher_Lab - library [1044 articles] http://www.citeulike.org/group/70/article/525382 CiteULike.org en-gb Copyright © 2004-2008 citeulike.org http://www.citeulike.org/group/70/article/525382 <i>J Neurosci, Vol. 18, No. 1. (1 January 1998), pp. 428-437.</i><br /><br />We tested the hypothesis that cognitive functions related to working memory (assessed with delay tasks) are distinct from those related to decision making (assessed with a gambling task), and that working memory and decision making depend in part on separate anatomical substrates. Normal controls (n = 21), subjects with lesions in the ventromedial (VM) (n = 9) or dorsolateral/high mesial (DL/M) prefrontal cortices (n = 10), performed on (1) modified delay tasks that assess working memory and (2) a gambling task designed to measure decision making. VM subjects with more anterior lesions (n = 4) performed defectively on the gambling but not the delay task. VM subjects with more posterior lesions (n = 5) were impaired on both tasks. Right DL/M subjects were impaired on the delay task but not the gambling task. Left DL/M subjects were not impaired on either task. The findings reveal a cognitive and anatomic double dissociation between deficits in decision making (anterior VM) and working memory (right DL/M). This presents the first direct evidence of such effects in humans using the lesion method and underscores the special importance of the VM prefrontal region in decision making, independent of a direct role in working memory. Dissociation Of working memory from decision making within the human prefrontal cortex. A Bechara H Damasio D Tranel SW Anderson J Neurosci, Vol. 18, No. 1. (1 January 1998), pp. 428-437. 2006-03-01T14:48:36-00:00 1998 J Neurosci 0270-6474 18 1 428 437 decisionmaking pfc workingmemory