Editing Neocortex (section)

== Function ==
The neocortex is derived embryonically from the dorsal [[telencephalon]], which is the [[Anatomical terms of location#Directional terms|rostral]] part of the [[Prosencephalon|forebrain]]. The neocortex is divided into regions demarcated by the cranial sutures in the skull above, into [[frontal lobe|frontal]], [[parietal lobe|parietal]], [[occipital lobe|occipital]], and [[temporal lobe|temporal]] lobes, which perform different functions. For example, the occipital lobe contains the [[primary visual cortex]], and the temporal lobe contains the [[primary auditory cortex]]. Further subdivisions or areas of neocortex are responsible for more specific cognitive processes. In humans, the [[frontal lobe]] contains areas devoted to abilities that are enhanced in or unique to our species, such as complex language processing localized to the [[ventrolateral prefrontal cortex]] ([[Broca's area]]).<ref name="Noback; Strominger; Demarest; Ruggiero 2005"/> In humans and other primates, social and emotional processing is localized to the [[orbitofrontal cortex]].

The neocortex has also been shown to play an influential role in sleep, memory and learning processes. [[Semantic memories]] appear to be stored in the neocortex, specifically the anterolateral [[temporal lobe]] of the neocortex.<ref name="Carlson 2013">{{cite book|last=Carlson|first=Neil | name-list-style = vanc |title=Physiology of Psychology|date=2013|publisher=Pearson|isbn=978-0-205-239481|edition=Eleventh}}</ref> It is also involved in [[instrumental conditioning]]; responsible for transmitting sensory information and information about plans for movement to the [[basal ganglia]].<ref name="Carlson 2013"/> The firing rate of neurons in the neocortex also has an effect on [[slow-wave sleep]]. When the neurons are at rest and are [[Hyperpolarization (biology)|hyperpolarizing]], a period of inhibition occurs during a slow [[oscillation]], called the down state. When the neurons of the neocortex are in the excitatory [[depolarizing]] phase and are firing briefly at a high rate, a period of excitation occurs during a slow oscillation, called the up state.<ref name="Carlson 2013"/>