Neokortekse

Neokortekse, often referred to as the neocortex, is the most recently evolved part of the cerebral cortex in the brains of mammals. It plays a crucial role in higher-order cognitive functions such as sensory perception, conscious thought, reasoning, and planning. Structurally, the neocortex is characterized by its six-layered organization, a hallmark that distinguishes it from older cortical areas. These layers, numbered from the surface inward, differ in their cell types, densities, and connections, contributing to the complex processing capabilities of the brain. The neocortex is responsible for interpreting sensory information from the environment, allowing for sophisticated analysis and response. It is also fundamental to language, abstract thinking, and memory formation. Damage to the neocortex can result in a wide range of deficits depending on the specific area affected, impacting abilities from simple sensory processing to complex decision-making. The expansion and complexity of the neocortex are strongly correlated with intelligence across different mammalian species, with humans possessing a particularly large and highly developed neocortex relative to their overall brain size.