Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex, also known as the cerebral mantle or neocortex, is the outer layer of the mammalian brain, covering most of the surface of the forebrain. It is the main site of higher-order cognitive processing, including the formation and use of long-term memories, language and abstract thought. Its folded structure, which increases the surface area of the cortex, makes it the largest brain structure. The cerebral cortex plays a major role in regulating motor, sensory and cognitive functions such as sensory perception, memory and attention. Its significance is such that any impairment of its functioning can result in physical and mental disability. Studying the activity of the cortex is a major area of neuroscience, and it is the focus of much research into diseases such as Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism and epilepsy.