what part of the brain controls decision making

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the most critical part of the human brain for decision-making. The PFC is responsible for higher-order thinking, personality characteristics, and movement. It is also involved in spontaneous and self-generated behaviors and internally driven decision-making. The hippocampus, which is responsible for long-term memory, also plays a critical role in decision-making. However, other regions of the brain, such as the ventromedial thalamus and the prelimbic cortex, have been found to be involved in cost-benefit decision-making. The study of decision-making in rats may help scientists find the roots of flawed decision-making common to mental health disorders such as addiction.