Motor and Cognitive Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex - Symposium

In this review of Motor and Cognitive Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex the reader finds a focused proceedings volume aimed at specialists and advanced students. The book records a 1992 Paris symposium and synthesizes interdisciplinary work on prefrontal structure and function, making it most useful for researchers wanting a historical and technical perspective. The single biggest reason to buy is the concentrated collection of expert contributions that link neuroanatomy, electrophysiology and neuropharmacology to both motor and cognitive roles of the prefrontal cortex.

Key Features

• Symposium proceedings: Contains edited papers presented at the Fondation IPSEN meeting, providing first-hand accounts of the state of research at the time.
• Interdisciplinary scope: Brings together neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and electrophysiology to show how multiple approaches inform prefrontal function.
• Historical context: Documents research techniques and early non-invasive imaging developments that shaped later studies in humans and animals.
• Focus on motor and cognitive roles: Emphasizes how the prefrontal cortex contributes to complex behaviors through both motor regulation and cognitive processing.
• Academic orientation: Written for readers who need depth and primary-source detail rather than a textbook overview or popular summary.

Who It's For

Scholars, graduate students and clinicians with a neuroscience or neurology background will get the most from this collection, especially those researching prefrontal circuits or the evolution of methods in cognitive neurobiology. The volume is valuable as a reference for anyone tracing methodological advances from animal models to non-invasive human imaging.

Readers seeking a modern, concise textbook or an introductory overview for lay audiences should look elsewhere, since the book compiles specialty papers from a 1992 meeting and assumes familiarity with technical terms and experimental approaches.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well curated proceedings that capture multidisciplinary perspectives on prefrontal function.
• Valuable historical snapshot of research techniques and the rise of non-invasive imaging in humans.
• Relevant to both motor control and cognitive regulation, linking different experimental approaches.

Cons

• Because it is a proceedings volume from 1992, some experimental details and imaging methods are dated compared with current literature.

Specifications

Title	Motor and Cognitive Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex
Editors/Authors	Anne-Marie Thierry, J. Glowinski, P.S. Goldman-Rakic
Source	Proceedings of the Fondation IPSEN Symposium, Paris, November 24, 1992
Scope	Interdisciplinary contributions in neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, electrophysiology
Primary focus	Motor and cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex
Audience	Researchers, clinicians, and advanced students in neuroscience and neurology

Our Verdict

This proceedings volume is a strong, value-minded choice for researchers and advanced students who need a historical, interdisciplinary compilation on the prefrontal cortex. It excels as a primary-source reference that links anatomy, pharmacology and electrophysiology to motor and cognitive functions, though readers should supplement it with more recent reviews for current methods and findings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a modern textbook on prefrontal cortex research?
Answer. No, it is a proceedings volume from a 1992 symposium and serves best as a historical and technical reference rather than a current textbook.

Who edited or authored the volume?
Answer. The work is presented under Anne-Marie Thierry, J. Glowinski and P.S. Goldman-Rakic, who compiled contributions from the symposium.

Will this help clinicians interested in cognitive disorders?
Answer. It provides mechanistic and experimental context useful to clinicians, but should be read alongside up-to-date clinical literature for diagnostic and treatment guidance.