Brain mechanisms for arousal, alertness, and attention underlie all cognitive functions and all emotional expression. This volume discusses the neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and functional genomics of these states, and the medical consequences of their damage in human patients -- e.g. vegetative states, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, age-related dementias, mood disorders and sleep disorders. The volume also discusses problems related to vigilance, environmental toxins, fatigue states, circadian rhythms, and sleep/wake physiology, and presents and discusses relevant research techniques, with an emphasis on molecular genetics and on human and animal behavior.-Note: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member