title: Cognitive functions of the basal forebrain.
abstract: Studies of the function of the basal forebrain have focused on cholinergic neurons that project to cortical and limbic structures critical for various cognitive abilities. Recent experiments suggest that these neurons serve a modulatory function in cognition, by optimizing cortical information processing and influencing attention.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology*