The prefrontal cortex (PFC) utilizes working memory to guide behavior and to release the organism from dependence on environmental cues and is commonly disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders, normal aging, or exposure to uncontrollable stress. This review posits that the PFC is very sensitive to changes in the neuromodulatory inputs it receives from norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) systems and that this sensitivity can lead to marked changes in the working-memory functions of the PFC. While NE and DA have important beneficial influences on processing in this area, very high levels of catecholamine release, for example, during exposure to uncontrollable stress, disrupt the cognitive functions of the PFC. This fresh understanding of the neurochemical influences on PFC function has led to new treatments for cognitive disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and may help to elucidate the prevalence of PFC dysfunction in other mental disorders.

中文翻译：

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儿茶酚胺对前额皮质认知功能的调节

前额叶皮层 (PFC) 利用工作记忆来指导行为并使生物体摆脱对环境线索的依赖，并且通常在神经精神疾病、正常衰老或暴露于无法控制的压力下被破坏。本综述假定 PFC 对它从去甲肾上腺素 (NE) 和多巴胺 (DA) 系统接收的神经调节输入的变化非常敏感，这种敏感性会导致 PFC 的工作记忆功能发生显着变化。虽然 NE 和 DA 对这一领域的加工具有重要的有益影响，但非常高水平的儿茶酚胺释放，例如，在暴露于无法控制的压力期间，会破坏 PFC 的认知功能。