ANATOMY AND FUNCTION OF THE ORBITAL FRONTAL-CORTEX .2. FUNCTION AND RELEVANCE TO OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

The authors review neurophysiological, neurobehavioral and neuropsycho logical investigations of the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) in human an d non-human primates. The article critically examines the role of the OFC in 1) recognition of reinforcers; 2) stimulus-reinforcer learning; 3) modulation of responses based on changes in reinforcement continge ncies; 4) emotions, social behavior, and autonomic regulation; 5) mnem onic functions; and ti) rule learning Examining these functional areas with reference to the OFC's anatomical and neurophysiological propert ies, the authors suggest ways in which the OFC might contribute to obs essive-compulsive disorder.