The precuneus is the medial part of the parietal lobe, lying in front of the cuneus, behind the paracentral lobule and above the subparietal sulcus. It is hidden between the hemispheres and is one of the most richly connected regions of the cortex. It is a central hub of the default mode network, active during rest and self-reflection.
| Location | Medial surface of the parietal lobe, anterior to the parieto-occipital sulcus and above the subparietal sulcus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Anterior cerebral artery (precuneal branches); Posterior cerebral artery (parieto-occipital branch) |
Supports visuospatial imagery, recalling personal memories, awareness of self and shifting attention.
The precuneus and nearby posterior cingulate show some of the earliest reductions in metabolism on PET in Alzheimer disease. It is involved in visuospatial imagery, episodic memory retrieval and self-awareness. Its reduced activity is seen in states of reduced consciousness, such as anaesthesia and vegetative states.
Early reduced metabolism and atrophy of the precuneus are characteristic findings on PET and MRI.
A visual variant of Alzheimer disease affecting the parietal and occipital cortex, including the precuneus.
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