Medial parietal brain region central to internally directed cognition, self-referential thought, and memory retrieval. The [[Posterior Cingulate Cortex]] serves as a major hub of the [[Default Mode Network (DMN)]] and shows strong metabolic activity during rest and mind-wandering. ## Functions - [[Self-Referential Processing]] - Integrates autobiographical information and personal relevance - Active during reflection on one’s traits, preferences, and emotions - [[Autobiographical Memory]] - Supports recollection and simulation of past experiences - Collaborates with [[Hippocampus]] and [[Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)]] - [[Attention]] and [[Cognitive Control]] - Balances internal versus external attentional focus - Deactivation correlates with task engagement and goal-directed behavior - [[Consciousness]] and [[Awareness]] - Among the first regions to show changes during anesthesia and altered states of [[consciousness]] - Implicated in the neural “core” of self-awareness ## Connectivity - Dense reciprocal connections with: - [[Precuneus]] - [[Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC)]] - [[Temporoparietal Junction]] - [[Hippocampal Formation]] - Functions as an integrative bridge between memory, emotion, and valuation networks ## Clinical and Theoretical Relevance - Abnormal PCC activity observed in [[Depression]], [[ADHD]], [[Alzheimer’s Disease]], and [[Disorders of Consciousness]] - Serves as a key biomarker for the brain’s “default” mode and internal mentation - The PCC’s role in integrating self-relevant and contextual information aligns it with philosophical discussions on [[Identity]] and [[Selfhood]]