The PFC is a region of the cerebrum, which has been colloquially referenced as the switchboard of the cortex due to its role in planning and selecting appropriate responses and actions to events and stimuli (26–28). Behaviors such as impulsivity (29), decision-making (30), and attentional focus (31) are all under the control of the PFC and are often manipulated and impaired in individuals with an AUD (discussed subsequently). Whenassessed in a controlled setting, acute doses of alcohol (0.4–0.8g/kg) given to nondependent subjects impairs numerous PFC functions, including disruption in planning (32), increases in impulsive actions (33–36), decreases behavioral inhibition (37–39), reduces perseverance (40), and increases poor decision-making (41). In many studies, these dysfunctions were correlated with reductions in typical lateralization (asymmetric distribution of activity) (36) as well as reduced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity during false responses (42). Further, studies in humans have demonstrated subtle structural abnormalities (43), increased blood flow (as an indicator of cortical activity) (44–47), and reduced hemispheric dominance (36, 48–50). Taken together, it is clear that the function of the PFC is significantly impaired with acute exposures to alcohol.
