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dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

This shows a child with blurred eyes. The caption reads "Higher Blink Rates Predict Better Cognitive Flexibility in Kids."

·September 18, 2026·5 min read

Eye-Blink Rate Predicts Cognitive Flexibility in Preschoolers

Scientists discover spontaneous eye-blink rate is a simple marker of prefrontal dlPFC specialization and cognitive flexibility in preschoolers aged 3–6.

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·July 29, 2026·7 min read

How Musical Improvisation Rewires Brain Activity

Musical improvisation suppresses self-critical prefrontal regions in adults and activates intrinsic reward structures in children, demonstrating that generative creativity is an innate brain mechanism.

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·January 24, 2023·3 min read

Abnormal 12-Hour Cyclic Gene Activity Found in Schizophrenic Brains

Postmortem brains of those with schizophrenia have fewer genes associated with 12-hour activity cycles in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Mitochondrial-related genes in the dlPFC did maintain a 12-hour rhythm, but their activity did not peak at normal times.

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·September 14, 2022·5 min read

Brain Patterns Reveal Why Elderly Drivers Are Prone to Mistaking the Gas Pedal for the Brake Pedal

Older people have longer reaction times, slower decision times, and greater activation in brain areas involved in inhibition and task switching. The findings may shed light on why many older drivers mistake the accelerator for the brake pedal.

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·May 27, 2022·3 min read

Turn up the Beat! Groovy Rhythm Improves Cognitive Ability in Music Lovers

Groove music can enhance executive function and associated brain activity in those who are familiar with the music.

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·April 18, 2022·3 min read

The Brain Employs an Alarm System to Suppress Intrusive Thoughts

The anterior cingulate cortex generates a reactive alarm, increasing its activity to signal to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to stop intrusive thoughts and memories.

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·March 26, 2022·3 min read

Stress Hormone Reduces Altruistic Behavior in Empathetic People

The stress hormone cortisol reduces altruistic behaviors and alters brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in people with higher levels of empathy.

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·November 16, 2021·4 min read

Cortex Suppression Resolves Motivation Conflict in Favor of Prosociality

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation to suppress excitability in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex enhanced prosocial behaviors.

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·August 15, 2021·4 min read

Brain Gene Expression Patterns Altered by Chronic Opioid Use

Opioid use disorder affects genes associated with proinflammatory immune molecule encoding and genes associated with remodeling the extracellular matrix, suggesting the connection between neurons may be altered as a result of opioid use. Additionally, those with OUD have higher levels of microglia in the brain.

This shows the location of the tpj and dlpfc in the brain

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·August 10, 2021·5 min read

Readiness to Punish Others for Selfish Behavior Explained by Functional Brain Connections

The stronger the connection between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporal-parietal junction, the less likely people are to punish others for selfish deeds.

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·August 4, 2021·3 min read

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation May Reduce Smoking

Non-invasive brain stimulation, such as rTMS, helps to reduce smoking frequency in nicotine-dependent people, a new study reports. Stimulating the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation significantly reduced smoking frequency.

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·October 5, 2020·4 min read

How the Brain Helps Us Navigate Social Differences

When we talk to someone from a different socioeconomic background our brain reacts differently than when we address someone with a similar status to our own. Researchers found higher activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with language and attentional control when people speak with those of different socioeconomic status.