"This is an important new book covering a fundamental area of neuroscience. Neuroscientists and physicians in the clinical neurosciences would enjoy reading this fascinating book. I highly recommend it." (Michael Joel Schrift, Doody's Book Reviews, October, 2015)
Introduction Manuel F. Casanova and Ioan Opris
Vernon Benjamin Mountcastle Manuel F. Casanova
Modular organization of the prefrontal cortex: the legacy of Patricia Goldman-Rakic Lynn D. Selemon
The types of functional and structural subdivisions of cortical areas Jon H. Kaas and Pooja Balaram
The types of functional and structural subdivisions of cortical areas Jon H. Kaas and Pooja Balaram
The minicolumn in comparative context Muhammad A. Spocter, Mary Ann Raghanti, Camilla Butti, Patrick Hof, and Chet C. Sherwood
Unusual cortical lamination patterns in the sengis (elephant shrews) do not appear to influence the presence of cortical minicolumns Paul Manger, Nina Patzke, Nadine Gravett, Katarina Medger, Consolate Kaswera, Emmanuel Gilissen, and Nigel Bennett
Active inference, predictive coding and cortical architecture Rick A. Adams, Karl J. Friston, and Andre M. Bastos
Columnar organization of the motor cortex: direction of movement Apostolos P. Georgopoulos
Discrete, place-defined macrocolumns in somatosensory cortex: lessons for modular organization of the cerebral cortex Oleg V. Favorov, Barry L. Whitsel, and Mark Tommerdahl
Prefrontal cortical microcircuits for executive control of behavior Ioan Opris, Ioana L. Popa, and Manuel F. Casanova
Cytoarchitectural modules: functional specialisation and disruption in neuropsychiatric disorders Steven Chance
The relevance of subplate modifications to connectivity in the cerebral cortex of individuals with autism spectrum disorders Jeffrey J. Hutsler and Thomas Avino
The minicolumnopathy of autism Manuel F. Casanova
Clinical applications of electrophysiological approaches based on cortical modularity in autism Estate M. Sokhadze, Lonnie Sears, Ayman S. El-Baz, Allan Tasman, and Manuel F. Casanova
Index
The way you perceive the world, plan, make decisions and communicate your thoughts and feelings depends on the function and hierarchical arrangement of cortical modules. The ability to both provide adaptive responses to our ever-changing environment and to pursue a useful role in society is the most important problem faced by present day neuroscientists. In essence, the workings of cortical modules define the nature of our soul, making each of us who we are. This book provides a breath-taking view of different perspectives by world renowned authorities as to the workings of these cortical modules both in the normal state and in mental disorders.