The Prefrontal CortexExecutive and Cognitive Functions

Abstract The role of the prefrontal cortex is one of the most topical and important areas of research in contemporary neuropsychology. This cortical region appears to be linked with executive processes affecting many diverse areas of cognitive function. Working memory, information processing, behavioural organization, attention, judgement, and the ability to cope with novel experiences are just some of the diverse processes it affects. This book brings together research on the prefrontal cortex. The chapters discuss theoretical and technical advances in the field, for example in our understanding of the neural architecture of the prefrontal cortex, in the development of comparable texts of cognition in humans and other primates, in our understanding of the relationships between neuronal activity and behaviour, and in the use of functional neuroimaging to identify different levels of organization within the prefrontal cortex.