From Book News, Inc.
In historical context, Swanson (biological sciences, U. of Southern California) presents a model of how the brain as a whole works in simpler and more complex systems, and discusses brain malleability and the gene-neural networks relationship. Appendices include information on nomenclature and methodology. Includes a glossary.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Nature Neuroscience
"...a welcome addition to the libraries of students and anyone interested in the basic organization of the brain."


Jan Voogd in Science
"…could serve as a general introduction for the undergraduate and a means to widen one's horizon for the experienced researcher."


Book Description
Depending on your point of view the brain is an organ, a machine, a biological computer, or simply the most important component of the nervous system. How does it work as a whole? What are its major parts and how are they interconnected to generate thinking, feelings, and behavior? This book surveys 2,500 years of scientific thinking about these profoundly important questions from the perspective of fundamental architectural principles, and then proposes a new model for the basic plan of neural systems organization based on an explosion of structural data emerging from the neuroanatomy revolution of the 1970's The importance of a balance between theoretical and experimental morphology is stressed throughout the book. Great advances in understanding the brain's basic plan brain have come especially from two traditional lines of biological thought- evolution and embryology, because each begins with the simple and progresses to the more complex. Understanding the organization of brain circuits, which contain thousands of links or pathways, is much more difficult. It is argued here that a four-system network model can explain the structure-function organization of the brain. Possible relationships between neural networks and gene networks revealed by the human genome project are explored in the final chapter. The book is written in clear and sparkling prose, and it is profusely illustrated. It is designed to be read by anyone with an interest in the basic organization of the brain, from neuroscience to philosophy to computer science to molecular biology. It is suitable for use in neuroscience core courses because it presents basic principles of the structure of the nervous system in a systematic way.


Book Info
Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles. Pocket text surveys 2,500 years of knowledge on the brain from the perspective of fundamental architectural principles. Proposes a new model for the basic neural systems organization based on structural data. Contains halftone line drawings. Softcover, hardcover also available.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Depending on your point of view the brain is an organ, a machine, a biological computer, or simply the most important component of the nervous system. How does it work as a whole? What are its major parts and how are they interconnected to generate thinking, feelings, and behavior? This book surveys 2,500 years of scientific thinking about these profoundly important questions from the perspective of fundamental architectural principles, and then proposes a new model for the basic plan of neural systems organization based on an explosion of structural data emerging from the neuroanatomy revolution of the 1970'sLThe importance of a balance between theoretical and experimental morphology is stressed throughout the book. Great advances in understanding the brain's basic plan brain have come especially from two traditional lines of biological thought- evolution and embryology, because each begins with the simple and progresses to the more complex. Understanding the organization of brain circuits, which contain thousands of links or pathways, is much more difficult. It is argued here that a four-system network model can explain the structure-function organization of the brain. Possible relationships between neural networks and gene networks revealed by the human genome project are explored in the final chapter.LThe book is written in clear and sparkling prose, and it is profusely illustrated. It is designed to be read by anyone with an interest in the basic organization of the brain, from neuroscience to philosophy to computer science to molecular biology. It is suitable for use in neuroscience core courses because it presents basic principles of the structure of the nervous system in asystematic way.

SYNOPSIS

In historical context, Swanson (biological sciences, U. of Southern California) presents a model of how the brain as a whole works in simpler and more complex systems, and discusses brain malleability and the gene-neural networks relationship. Appendices include information on nomenclature and methodology. Includes a glossary. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Celso Agner, MSc, MD (Albany Medical Center)Description: The scholarly study of anatomy can vary from a monotonous memorization of names and structures, to an artistic representation of the body in da Vinci's style, or to an innovative approach integrating structure, function, and good techniques of memorization. This book stylistically approaches neuroanatomy in an easy to understand manner.Purpose: The purpose is to address neuroanatomy, evolution, and embryology of the nervous system in a practical, concise, and comprehensive manner. Those objectives are clearly met by all authors.Audience: The audience is mostly composed of neuroanatomists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons who want to review major topics of already learnt topics in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. All objectives were met. The author is an authority in the subject.Features: Through history and facts, the authors concentrate on major aspects of behavior and attempts to correlate them with structural concepts in neuroanatomy. The topic is, however, repetitive and, possibly, not necessary, even if the approach to it is different. In my view, it is a replication of other readily available sources of information and probably other sources would be useful in the same fashion. It may be a worthy book, however, for specific populations of neuroscientists and students who would adapt to a more eclectic way of studying. The references are up-to-date.Assessment: I think this would be an important component of any neuroscience library, as different study modalities may prevail and some students may particularly benefit from this book'sstyle.

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