Cingulate Gyrus

The Cingulate system is responsible for:

Overactivity in the cingulate leads to:

• Worrying or anxiety
• Getting stuck on thoughts and behaviors
• Obsessive and repetitive thoughts and behaviors (OCD type behaviors)
• Oppositional/argumentative behavior
• Difficulty with recognition and expression of affect
• Inappropriate response to pain
• compulsive behaviors
• Poor goal orientation

 

• Cognitive flexibility
• Shifting attention
• Going from idea to idea
• Seeing options
• Cooperation

There are many serotonin neurons (5HT receptors) in the Cingulate Gyrus. When there are deficiencies in serotonin (as is sometimes the case with autism), the Cingulate Gyrus becomes overactive.

Overactivity in the cingulate results in:

• Worrying or anxiety
• Getting stuck on thoughts and behaviors
• Obsessive and repetitive thoughts and behaviors (OCD type behaviors)
• Oppositional/argumentative behavior
• Difficulty with recognition and expression of affect
• Inappropriate response to pain
• Compulsive behaviors
• Poor goal orientation

People with Cingulate Gyrus overactivity benefit from SSRI medications (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox).

In some cases of autism, the anterior cingulate gyrus has been found to be significantly smaller in volume and less metabolically active. This has been most pronounced in the superior and posterior regions of the anterior cingulate gyrus. This is the area that is also involved with the executive functions. If these regions are underactive, difficulties in the executive functions will arise.