The Prefrontal Cortex

This is the fourth edition of the undisputed classic on the prefrontal cortex, the principal "executive" structure of the brain. Because of its role in such cognitive functions as working memory, planning, and decision-making, the prefrontal cortex is critically involved in the organization of behavior, language, and reasoning. Prefrontal dysfunction lies at the foundation of several psychotic and neurodegenerative disorders, including schizophrenia and dementia.

“Joaquin Fuster is one of the leading scientists in the field of cognitive neuroscience. He is famous not only for his discovery of ‘memory cells’ in the frontal lobe of the monkey, but also for his excellent books. Among them the most famous and influential is ‘The Prefrontal Cortex’. I remember the first edition of it back in 1980. It was a mere intellectual pleasure reading it. The book reviewed an amazing amount of data from anatomy, ontogeny, and physiology to the effect of lesions on innate and conditioned behavior and synthesized them in a coherent theory. In this new completely re-written edition of the book, Fuster has been able to repeat the enterprise. In spite of the enormous amount of new data, many coming from the rather messy field of brain imaging, he has been able to review them and put them in a clear theoretical frame. I am sure the new generation of neuroscientists will be influenced by this book in the same way as I was more than 20 years ago and will receive, by reading it, the same intellectual pleasure.” - Giacomo Rizzolatti, Professor of Human Physiology, Department of Neuroscience, Section of Physiology, University of Parma, Italy

"Once again, Dr. Fuster, the world's pre-eminent expert on the frontal lobes, has delivered an instant classic that should be read by everyone interested in understanding the link between brain and behavior."- Mark D'Esposito, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, Director, Henry H. Wheeler Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, USA

“The frontal lobe serves the highest cognitive functions of the brain, including symbolic representation of the world, decision making, and planning for the future. Arguably, the enormous development of these functions distinguishes the human from other species. Joaquin Fuster has devoted his life to studying the many complex roles of the frontal cortex in behavior and cognition. This book is the product of his efforts to make these issues comprehensible in an exciting and fast-growing field. Even it you possess earlier editions of his book you should also have this one to stay informed about the brain structure that makes us human. For that, this vastly updated edition is a must-have, whether you are a specialist or not.” - Pasko Rakic, Chairman, Department of Neurobiology, and Director, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale Medical School, USA

"The Prefrontal Cortex is a classic, and the classic has just been updated, expanded and thought anew, with the depth and wisdom that characterize Fuster's work. As before, this is an indispensable volume for neuroscientists."- Antonio Damasio, Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience and Director, Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, USA

"The frontal lobes are central to cognitive neuroscience. The revision of this important volume provides the crucial background needed to grasp their role. In a final chapter Fuster brings together all that is known by emphasizing the temporal course of brain networks in a way which serves to illuminate action, consciousness and free will."- Michael I. Posner, Professor, Department of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences, University of Oregon, USA