The neocortex is the site of cognition, but the algorithm(s) underlying neocortical function are far from understood. Cognition is impaired in various neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Gaining insight into the functional operations of the neocortex and how they might be altered in disease is a major driving force behind our research. We investigate these central questions in behaving mice using single-unit and 1-photon miniscope recordings. Specifically, we are interested in 1) how brain oscillations organize neocortical activity during behaviour, 2) how the neocortical code dynamically changes over time, 3) how the neocortex modulates subcortical areas involved in cognitive and emotional control, and 4) how these processes are altered in psychiatric illness.