The orbitofrontal cortex in adaptive behavior: Prediction, evaluation, and comparison

This article addresses the functions of the relatively inaccessible part of the frontal lobe that occupies the orbital surface—the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and adjacent ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). These regions, in concert with the anatomically connected circuits in which they are embedded, contribute to adaptive behavior and to the evolutionary success of primates by predicting specific types and amounts of resources, evaluating the desirability and availability of those resources, and comparing values to support choice behavior. We review evidence from humans and nonhuman primates pointing to dissociable roles for at least three large regions within OFC and VLPFC—medial OFC, lateral OFC and VLPFC—in guiding adaptive choices in dynamic environments.