<p></p><p>As previously
mentioned, the cortex is composed of six layers of neurons, called the
pyramidal neurons. The pre-frontal cortex is involved in working memory, the
planning of complex behaviors, and coordination of thought in relation to goals
and decision-making (Gorochowski, 2009). This area of the brain is responsible
for higher-ordered tasks, such as thinking, planning, motor execution, and mood
control (Thatcher, 2015). With the evolution of the cerebral cortex, our early
ancestors (Cro-Magnon man), once a free-roaming and wild species wholly reliable
upon instincts, found themselves with higher cognitive thought, which upturned
the previous reliance on unconscious drives and desires. With this outward
growth of their brains, they were forced to think, deduce, </p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/PRE%20FRONTAL%20CORTEx.png" alt="Pre Frontal Cortex" width="834" height="338" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom"><br><p></p><p></p><h3><a name="_Toc28940403">Figure xx: Components of the Pre-Frontal Cortex</a></h3><p></p><p><br></p><p><a name="_Toc28940402"></a></p><p><a name="_Toc28940402">One
interesting component of neurophysiology that has been discovered is that our
prefrontal cortex can simulate the future (Byrne &amp; Reiner, 2006). This has
been most popularly described in the case of Olympian athletes (Byrne &amp;
Reiner, 2006). It has been proven that the same portions of the brain fire when
these individuals complete their event in their mind as does when they are
actually competing in the event. Taking the internal perspective triggers the
somatosensory perspective (Casey &amp; Romanyshyn, 2010). In interviewing
gymnasts, many of those who have qualified for the Olympics speak of using
internal imagery—that is, they saw themselves inside their minds conducting
their gymnastic feats, whereas those who did not qualify for the Olympics
commonly used external imagery; they watched video tapes more and relied on
observing others (Byrne &amp; Reiner, 2006). </a></p><h2><a name="_Toc28940404">Meninges</a></h2>

<p>The three membranes of elastic connective tissues that envelop the
brain and the spinal cord are called meninges. The three layers are:</p>

<p><a name="_Toc28940405">Dura Mater</a> – the
outermost and toughest layer of the meninges</p>

<p><a name="_Toc28940406">Arachnoid Mater</a> – The
web-like middle layer of the meninges</p>

<p><a name="_Toc28940407">Pia Mater</a> – The
innermost layer of the meninges</p><p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/MENINGES.png" alt="Meninges" width="820" height="566" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom"><br></p><p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/meninges2.png" alt="meninges" width="999" height="623" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom"><br></p>

<p>The purpose of the meninges is to protect the brain and support
its structure, including anchoring the brain and the brain stem to the skull.
They also contain <a href="http://www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/glossary/cerebrospinal-fluid" target="_blank">cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF)</a>, which acts as a cushion for the brain and provides a solution in
which the brain is suspended, allowing it to preserve its shape.</p><p></p><p>Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges and spinal cord
membranes, often caused by an infection.</p><p></p><img src="@@PLUGINFILE@@/mENINGES.png" alt="mENINGITIS" width="452" height="255" class="img-responsive atto_image_button_text-bottom"><br><p></p><p><a name="_Toc28940402"></a></p><h3><a name="_Toc28940409">Figure xx: The actions of meningitis</a></h3><br><p></p><p></p>