Winterer Georg, Goldman David
Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2003 Sep;43(1):134-63. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0173(03)00205-4.
Evolution of the prefrontal cortex was an essential precursor to civilization. During the past decade, it became increasingly obvious that human prefrontal function is under substantial genetic control. In particular, heritability studies of frontal lobe-related neuropsychological function, electrophysiology and neuroimaging have greatly improved our insight. Moreover, the first genes that are relevant for prefrontal function such as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are currently discovered. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on the genetics of human prefrontal function. For historical reasons, we discuss the genetics of prefrontal function within the broader concept of general cognitive ability (intelligence). Special emphasis is also given to methodological concerns that need to be addressed when conducting research on the genetics of prefrontal function in humans.
前额叶皮质的进化是文明发展的重要前提。在过去十年间，人类前额叶功能受大量基因控制这一点变得愈发明显。特别是，与额叶相关的神经心理功能、电生理学和神经影像学的遗传力研究极大地增进了我们的认识。此外，目前已发现了一些与前额叶功能相关的首批基因，如儿茶酚 - O - 甲基转移酶（COMT）。在本综述中，我们总结了目前关于人类前额叶功能遗传学的知识。出于历史原因，我们在更广泛的一般认知能力（智力）概念框架内讨论前额叶功能的遗传学。同时，还特别强调了在进行人类前额叶功能遗传学研究时需要解决的方法学问题。
