Some individuals exhibit very high levels of performance on perceptual and cognitive tasks—they are “cognitive superstars.” I report on such exceptional performance in individuals with extraordinary abilities on tests of vigilance, selective attention, and working memory, among others. Neuroimaging and molecular genetic data are also presented, in an exploration of the neural and hereditary basis of exceptional cognition. Extraordinary cognitive ability reflects a complex mix of factors including genetics, experience, and training. While it is difficult to generalize from individual case studies, and such cases are by definition, very rare, implications can be drawn for selection and training methods aimed at enhancing the normal range of cognition.
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