The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain involved in many higher level tasks such as language, memory, and consciousness.
A burst of 70 millivolts will burn out the cerebral cortex of a normal humanoid brain. This, however, can be cheated with an injection of an inoprovaline drug, which provides additional resistance against such excessive electro-stimulation. (DS9: "Life Support")
If damaged, tissue in the cerebral cortex can also be treated using a cortical analeptic. (VOY: "The Swarm"
When Deanna Troi temporarily lost her empathic sense due to the influence of two-dimensional lifeforms, a pattern of unresponsive cells in her cerebral cortex and cerebellum was recorded. (TNG: "The Loss")
The Prytt used a Psi-wave device implanted in the cerebral cortex as an interrogation method. (TNG: "Attached")
Among the portions of the cerebral cortex are the parietal lobes, the occipital lobe, the frontal lobe, and the temporal lobes.
- In "Violations" (TNG), Dr. Crusher incorrectly identifies the thalamus as part of the cerebral cortex, when it is actually part of the brainstem.