The front part of the cinguli gyrus is, among other things, involved in how we react to a pain stimulus. The anterior part of the gyrus cingulis also appears to be an important meeting place for several interacting neuronal networks.
The area shows increased activity (fMRI examination), e.g. when examining objects with which there is no experience and when assessing the risks of planned behaviour.
On the whole, the anterior part of the cinguli gyrus appears to increase its activity in the face of the demand for heightened attention; increased attention.
Amemori K-i. and Graybiel, A.M . (2012) Localized microstimulation of primate pregenual cingulate cortex induces negative decision-making. Nature Neuroscience 15. 776-785