The superior frontal gyrus (SFG) is a large ridge of tissue constituting roughly a third of the brain’s frontal lobe. The frontal lobe, situated at the front of the skull, controls planning, decision-making, and personality expression. Positioned high up, the SFG acts as a major hub coordinating complex cognitive processes necessary for successful interaction with the world. Understanding the specific role of the right superior frontal gyrus (rSFG) provides insight into the brain’s specialized architecture for attention, self-awareness, and control.
Anatomical Placement and Structure
The superior frontal gyrus runs along the upper surface of the frontal lobe, extending from the frontal pole toward the central part of the brain. The superior frontal sulcus marks its lateral boundary, separating it from the middle frontal gyrus. The rSFG wraps over the top edge and continues onto the medial, or inner, surface of the hemisphere. This medial section is part of the medial prefrontal cortex, a region known for connecting to deep brain structures. The right and left superior frontal gyri are densely interconnected by nerve fibers passing through the corpus callosum, ensuring communication between the hemispheres.
Role in Executive Function and Attention
The rSFG plays a specialized role in executive functions, the mental skills needed to control and coordinate cognitive abilities. A primary responsibility is inhibitory control, the ability to suppress impulsive actions. Activation of the rSFG during conflict anticipation is associated with efficient response inhibition, helping translate conflict expectation into proactive control. This area is also a component of the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN), which manages goal-directed attention.
The rSFG is involved in maintaining working memory, the temporary storage and manipulation of information necessary for reasoning and decision-making. It sustains focused attention by filtering out irrelevant sensory input, dedicating cognitive resources to the current task. This capacity for sustained attention and cognitive flexibility allows a person to quickly shift between different thoughts or tasks. The right hemisphere’s role in executive control of attention is important, especially when dealing with non-verbal or spatial information.
The rSFG and Social Cognition
The rSFG is deeply involved in social cognition and self-awareness. The medial portion of the gyrus is a core node of the Default Mode Network (DMN), a system active during internal thought and self-reflection. This network is crucial for self-referential processing, which involves evaluating one’s own traits, beliefs, and emotions. The rSFG’s involvement is important for constructing and maintaining a sense of self.
A complex function tied to the rSFG is Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intentions, and desires—to oneself and others. The DMN, including this region, overlaps with networks responsible for mentalizing and social reasoning. This enables emotional regulation, allowing a person to monitor and adjust emotional responses in a social context. The rSFG is implicated in the cognitive control needed for reappraisal, which involves re-interpreting a situation to reduce its negative emotional impact.
Clinical Relevance of Dysfunction
When the rSFG is compromised, structural or functional abnormalities are frequently noted in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder. These issues often manifest as impaired emotional regulation and cognitive control. Patients with MDD may show heightened activation during self-referential tasks, suggesting excessive, persistent negative self-focused thoughts.
In disorders like schizophrenia, the rSFG is implicated by reduced functional connectivity and altered gray matter density. This dysfunction contributes to core symptoms, particularly impaired inhibitory control and difficulties in social cognition. Furthermore, a focal brain injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), can result in significant deficits in attention, impulse control, and social appropriateness. Behavioral changes often stem from the inability to effectively modulate emotional responses and engage in flexible, goal-directed behavior.