Book Description

A rise in blood pressure increases the risk of numerous health complications, particularly stroke.We discuss the various ways blood pressure can be controlled, specifically through lifestyle changes and medication, and review the current status of stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Integrative Action of the Brain
The contents dwell on the biophysical properties (e.g. dendritic structure, ionic channels, and synaptic transmission) of neural networks. The overall motivation is to show that biophysics of computation is an inconsistent paradigm when dealing with neural networks by showing that integration from microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic levels is feasible. Therefore this book laid the foundations of integrative neuroscience independent of silly metaphors. Chapters 1-2 constitute an introduction to the subject and a historical survey of neuronal modeling, respectively. Chapters 3-5 encompass the cellular level with an emphasis on nonsynaptic transmission, and computational models of single neurons from the retina and amygdala. Chapters 6-7 characterize the physico-chemical mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity in biochemical networks and synaptic transmission in axonal networks. Chapters 8-10 form the hard core of basic theory of small-scale biophysical neural networks.Chapters 11-12 deal with mesoscopic theories of hippocampal neural networks. Chapter 15 serves as an advanced overview of the numerical methods in neural modeling of networks.A number of problems are included at the end of each chapter to give a more in-depth appraisal of the contents, and each chapter ends with some predictions in relation to future developments. A highly recommemded book!

The Integrative Action of the Brain
This book laid the foundations of integrative neuroscience independent of silly metaphors and reductionistic assumptions. This in turn led to a new understanding of the functioning of the brain by showing that integration is feasible. The contents dwell on the biophysical properties of neural networks. A highly recommended book! ... Read more

Book Description

Designed with a symptom-oriented approach, the updated Second Edition of Neurology Recall is practical for both medical students and generalists who need a refresher course in neurology. The book is written by residents and clinicians and facilitates rapid review and memorization with a concise question-and-answer format covering the basic and specialized areas of neurology. You'll also find these features: small, portable size, affordable price, bookmark to help you self-test by covering the answers, and an extensive index. ... Read more

Book Description

Neuroscience is a comprehensive textbook created primarily for medical and premedical students. In a single concise and approachable volume, the text guides students through the challenges and excitement of this rapidly changing field. The length and accessibility of the writing are a successful combination that works equally well for medical students or for undergraduate neuroscience courses in which many of the students are premeds. Being both comprehensive and authoritative, the book is also appropriate for graduate and professional use. Key features of the Third Edition include:

* Text boxes, new and revised, that highlight topics of special interest relevant to the chapter topics; these include discussions of the major neurological diseases, research methods, and the relevant animal models
* Additional neuroanatomical content, including two appendices: (1) The Brainstem and Cranial Nerves, and (2) Vascular Supply, the Meninges, and Ventricles
* Sylvius for Neuroscience: Visual Glossary of Human Neuroanatomy (CD included with every copy) is an interactive reference guide to the human nervous system. This new version of the popular teaching aid features textbook-specific organization and an enhanced interface.
* Revised and expanded full-color art ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Excellent! Accessible, great graphics, good organization.
As an undergraduate Psychobiology student, this text served me well in my Neuroscience course. In all honesty I never went. I just read this book. I got excellent marks in the class. As a serious slacker and bibliophile, I recommend this textbook for any like-minded student.

Confusing
When I saw the page I recognized the cover of the book, but I could not believe what people were actually writing about it.

First I want to say that I am an undergraduate biotechnology student. I have a very strong background in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, tissue culture techniques, and immunology; but I have not had any classes dealing with anatomy or physiology since Bio 101 way back when. I have read and am quite comfortable with Alberts Molecular Biology of the Cell and Stryers Biochemistry, and even a handful of primary journal articles, so I do know how to read a textbook.

Now with that out of the way, let me say that this book is completely incomprehensible. It is so full of anatomy and Latin derived words (which it does a poor job at explaining BTW) that I can only assume that it was meant for medical students, and to have physiology an a prerequisite for it, but it doesn't even have an introduction describing the recommended background or whom it is supposed to be for. In fact, most of the book is devoted to the physiology of sensation and movement, not neurobiology. Now if you have the background for it and thats what you are looking for then it is a very thorough text that goes into a lot of depth.

If you are looking to understand the biochemistry or molecular aspects of neurobiology, find another book!

Excellent for Undergrads
As an undergraduate Neuroscience major I found this textbook to be highly informative and well-written. It was used to a Freshman-level course, and was easy to understand, yet thorough and interesting. The graphics are well done, and the format is better than most textbooks I'm used to. Anyone, even with minimal science experience could dive right in and learn a great deal. It may not be advanced enough, however, for grad or medical students. As a reference it does okay, but there are more-advanced texts which would probably do better. All-in-all it is an excellent book. In-fact, I liked it so much that I didn't sell it back at the end of the semester and keep it on my bookshelf for future reference (and future classes!)

Good intro to human neuroscience
This reference provides a well-written, fairly easy to read, introduction to human neuroscience. The reference begins with an overview of the organization of the nervous system - neurons, neural circuits, and neuroanatomy. The first group of chapters consider in more detail membrane potentials, voltage-dependent membrane permeability, membrane channels and pumps, synapses, neurotransmitters and receptors. The next group of chapters consider in more detail the sensory nervous system - somatic sensory receptors and pathways, pain, the eye and visual pathways, the ear, auditory pathways and vestibular system, smell and olfactory pathways, and taste and taste pathways. The next group of chapters consider in more detail the motor nervous system - spinal cord motor circuits, descending control of these circuits, basal ganglia, cerebellum and eye movements. The next group of chapters consider the development of the brain as well as plasticity in the adult nervous system. These are followed by chapters on cognition, language, sleep, emotions, sexuality, and memory.

An excellent neuroscience text
While taking neurobiology as a graduate student I used this text to supplement Principles of Neural Science. While I read Principles and enjoyed it, I used Neuroscience to study for course exams and my departmental preliminary examination. The writing is clear, concise, and very to the point. Unlike Principles, experimental studies underlying the facts are not described in as much detail in Neuroscience (this presentation of information is better when you want to get to the core of what you need to know). While many new texts like to go into heavy detail about new drug and genetic manipulations for neurological and psychological disorders, speculations in Neuroscience about such "up to the minute" information is kept to a minimum. The messages of the wonderful color illustrations accompanying the text are easy to grasp (they serve their purpose very well). An excellent upper level undergraduate or graduate level neuroscience text. Very good for a concise review of the information. ... Read more

Book Description

In the 12 years since the previous edition of this text, the field of neurobiology has greatly expanded. This new edition is completely revised, with new material that reflects the latest research in all areas of Developmental Neurobiology, including stem cell research and genomics. In addition, material from the previous edition is completely rewritten; however, the popular, user-friendly organizational format of the previous edition remains intact in this updated text. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Neurodevelopment - the details
The general reader who has read other developmental references and would like more information concerning various aspects of the development of higher nervous systems, will find this reference useful. This reference is a synthesis of the neurobiological literature (indeed, the reference section occupies a third of its pages), but it is nonetheless very readable. The reference starts with neurulation and lineages of nerve cells including the neuroglia. There is then a chapter on the neural crest cells. This is followed by development of axons, dendrites and synapses, including the influence of neurotrophic factors. There is then a chapter on the development of the cerebral cortex and the cerebellar cortex. Morphogenesis of these cortices occurs in three phases - formation and migration of various types of neurons and glia to characteristic positions; forming redundant dendrites and axons, with transient synapses; pruning of dendrites, axons and neurons themselves. The final chapter is on the development of neuronal specificity and neuronal projection maps. Even though a very large percentage of the mammalian genome is expressed exclusively in the nervous system, the genome is still not large enough to specify in detail the interconnections of the developed brain. Rather, it is more parsimonious for the genome to specify programs of histogenesis, migration and various cellular interactions. A neuronal projection map is where one set of neurons projects its axons to another set of neurons such the connections reflect the spatial order of the neurons. Neuronal projection maps are found throughout the nervous system. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text covers the fundamentals of ultrasound physics, new technology, and clinical applications in all ages. It provides a firm grounding in hemodynamics and describes computational models for study of the cerebral circulation.Extracranial applications in assessing the carotid and vertebral arteries are discussed in detail, as are intracranial Doppler applications in stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformations, interventional and surgical procedures, and the detection and monitoring of cerebral microembolism. Extensive illustrations and tables include standardized classifications of cerebrovascular diseases based on international consensus conferences. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tell you the principles in a magic way!
This book covered almost all the important topics in the field of developmental neurobiology, and they are arranged in a logic way, from general development to specific details, from simple functions to complicated ones, from systematic to cellular to molecular level. Then, in the end, they lead to the concise principles summarized by the authors. As for a new beginner in this magic field, this book supplies me with rich facts along the history of this developing science, as well as lots of inspirations. As for the professionals, this book is also worth reading as a excellent systematic review and a splendid panorama of the beautiful scenery in this field. There are several points about this book that impressed me deeply and lured me to read it time and time again that I want to list as below: 1) The book describes a lot of the classical experiments that have profoundly influenced the way this new science has developed. This is interesting, because it makes the dry principles juicy. Also the experiments form a kind of challenge for the reader, because you can always set yourself in the same situations as the brainy experimenters mentioned in the book, thinking and analyzing together with them and being for and against their views and conclusions. 2) Weaker voices from the opposite side in the heated historical discussions can also be heard in this book. This is of great significance, because the realistic record encourages you to discard the preconceptions and bravely stand out to doubt the deep-rooted theories and explanations. In fact, there are few sure things, and most are mysterious, which make science magic. 3) The tradition of a branch of science can never be ignored because, to a certain degree, it decides how this science will develop, to which direction it will go, and what the chief problems are that are of the greatest power to revolutionize the whole field. The book tells you the history, along the way it tells science. And it shows great respect to the legends in this realm of science by opening boxes in every chapter to focus your attention to their contributions and to their strong willing versus an arduous journey of research. 4) The authors¡¯ diligence can be sensed from every line of the book, and every point in the book is based on concrete facts accumulated from the authors¡¯ extensive reading and research. Every item of reference is listed along the text, so it is convenient for the reader to hunt the pith from the forest of scientific literature. The strict attitude of the authors makes the book able to stand the test of time. 5) There are a lot of diagrams in the book, which make the reading activity much faster and easy, and the images printed in the mind keep the memories vivid and clear. At the same time, the language of this book is easy to understand as well as accurate. In only three pages, it clarifies Hebel¡¯s theory of visual cortex, which won the Nobel¡¯s prize in the 1980s, and science should be made easier like this, right? By all means, you should not let the chance go to experience this magic journey. Read this friendly book, and make sense how the magic nervous system comes into life! ... Read more

Book Description

This fully revised edition of The Neural Crest contains the most current information about this unique structure that has a transient existence in early embryonic life. The ontogeny of the neural crest embodies the most important issues in developmental biology, as the neural crest is considered to have played a crucial role in evolution of the vertebrate phylum.This revised edition includes new data that analyze neural crest ontogeny in murine and zebrafish embryos. Additional features include coverage of advances in our understanding of neural crest cell subpopulation markers, cell lineage analysis, and the introduction of molecular biology to neural crest research. Like its predecessor, this volume is essential reading for students and researchers in developmental biology, cell biology, and neuroscience. ... Read more

Book Description

Neuroblastomas are tumors of the sympathetic nervous system.Unfortunately, this group of tumors has not shown the same remarkable progress in cure rate that has been achieved in most other childhood malignancies and this is one of the reasons why neuroblastomas have been studied so extensively by pediatric oncologists worldwide.

The current treatment of neuroblastoma may involve chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, bonemarrow rescue and/or innovative biological approaches. Localized tumors, especially those with favorable biology, are curable by surgery alone, as residual tumor tissue is prone to spontaneous regression or differentiation. An intermediate group may be curable with chemotherapy of moderate intensity. However, patients over a year of age with metastatic disease, as well as those with biologically unfavorable regional tumors, seem to have a benefit of a treatment with intensive multiagent chemotherapy with bone marrow ... Read more

Book Description

Evoking both tears and laughter, all of the emotions of Alzheimer's care giving are expressed in this chronicle, through moving poetry, journal entries, and photos from family albums through the years.

From the creator of the award-winning website, "A Year to Remember...with My Mother and Alzheimer's Disease," this book brings together Brenda Parris Sibley's poetry, her care giving journal, and cherished photographs from family albums through the years. Waiting for the Morning, the title which comes from one of her poems, is a memorial to Jessie Lee Parris, a victim of Alzheimer's, and provides helpful information for coping with care giving, including a bibliography of suggested books for both adults and children, and a webliography of recommended Web sites by organizations, professionals, caregivers, and early-onset Alzheimer's patients. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Joy also comes in the morning
Waiting for the Morning is a wonderfully written journal by Brenda Parris Sibley. If you want to know what Alzheimer's disease is all about, this is a must read book! From the very beginning, when Brenda returns home to care for her mom, we can feel the constant roller coaster ride as she tells of her experiences. Brenda expresses her thoughts and emotions so well that you feel as if you are also right there! Her book clearly shows the love she had for her mother and the guilt which overtakes her as she cannot stop this dreaded disease. Her thoughts and feelings teach us to treasure each moment as a caregiver and the blessings that come with it. She also shows us that there is life after caregiving ends and we gradually find our way back into the world. Her poems are beautiful and the pictures make you feel as if you always knew her mom. There are many references for suggested reading, so together with her story, anyone who reads Waiting For The Morning will come away much richer and blessed!

SACRIFICIAL LOVE
'Waiting for the Morning' accurately and honestly depicts the decline of Alzheimer's disease, each and every stage, along with the devastation imparted unto the caregiver in the process. Brenda's guilt emanates throughout: 'You pleaded with me to come home, so I did. Mama's baby came home, but you don't know me. I'm too late - Alzheimer's came first.' She blames herself for the natural progression of this hideous disease; while at the same time the reader is so acutely aware of her undying love for this woman who raised her. Brenda's pain is also evident: 'This is the hardest thing about Alzheimer's. Whenever she remembers that she has a daughter by my name, she worries about her - not understanding that I've been right here with her all along.' This part hit me hardest: the utter loss of her mother's awareness before her body left.

Each chapter tells the tragic story of a woman whose mind is breaking; whose switches are shutting down, one by one; and of the daughter whose unswerving commitment bears the brunt and the blame for everything which happens. Brenda's book is truly about exactly what she says in the beginning 'Learn from my mistakes; know that you are not alone; and most of all, cherish the time you have left with your loved one'. These words come from great wisdom, borne out of harsh experience and unfailing love; calling out to those who follow behind her in their own journeys. If you want to know the truth, read this book. Within its covers, the 'way in the wilderness' will become obvious to you. Brenda lived it - with her heart's intent being that you might be spared and enlightened as a result of the words which she penned.

A profound, personal testimony
Waiting For The Morning: A Mother And Daughter's Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease is a profound, personal testimony. Author Brenda Parris Sibly presents her poetry, caregiving journal, helpful advice for those who are struggling to adapt to caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's. Waiting For The Morning is sensitive, thoughtful, occasionally inspiring, and always highly recommended reading. Parting Thoughts: I didn't fix things/by being here,/and more of my trying/brought you much cheer./The flowers I planted/will be a mockery/if they bloom again/without you to see./There'll be no more Christmas--/no holidays again--/for you were everything/in my Christmas plans./I feel a cold chill/all the way to my soul,/but Mama, please know,/that I love you so.

I couldn't wait for morning...
.
..wanted to be the first to review this book!

I was probably among the first visitors to Brenda Parris Sibley's web site, "A Year to Remember...with My Mother and Alzheimer's Disease," back in 1996. I had a special interest in Alzheimer's, because our family had just come through our own care-giving journey. Our grandmother, who we cared for in our home for seven years, had died in May of '96 a little over a month after Brenda's mother passed away. I visited her site many, many times over the next few years.
I thought it was wonderful!

I have just finished reading "Waiting for the Morning" and it has touched me in a way I honestly did not think it could. As far as caring for an Alzheimer's victim, I've experienced it all. All the emotions; the guilt of not being patient enough, the longing to bring this person back, for just a little longer, that feeling of being "in control" one day, and in the depths the next, not knowing how I would survive another minute. Yet, while reading Brenda's journal I found myself snickering, remembering the silly moments, and holding back tears recalling the heartache. I was right there in that little house with her, loving her Mom and feeling the emotion of every stage of this cruel disease. For some reason it was a good feeling.
Maybe like surviving a battle and feeling camaraderie with a fellow soldier.

How I would have loved to read this book while I was caring for "Gram"!
Brenda is learning as she goes along, trying different things to make her Mom comfortable, recording it all in her journal. She shares information she has read, and tries to figure out the things that seem to cause her mother's agitation so she can avoid them. It is very informative, and I believe would be a very comforting support to any caregiver. Just to see that what they are experiencing with their loved one, although so very difficult, is not unusual and that the resulting emotions they feel are normal as well.

But I now realize-even more than before- that Brenda and I were "in the trenches" at the very same time, learning and failing; but coming through it with stories that will hopefully make the way just a little more comforting to those going through it now.

....And the poetry!
Brenda's poetry is so wonderfully honest and touching. I am filling up with tears just thinking about it. It is really special.

It was very moving to read of Brenda's grief, and how she worked through it. Isn't it amazing that this very difficult and life changing experience has resulted in the development of the web-site that many would consider the "hub" of all the Alzheimer's care giving sites?
What a wonderful memorial to her Mom, and a victorious overcoming of such a difficult experience.

.......Thank you Brenda for all of your efforts! ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. The main purpose of this book is to understand the principles governing the longevity and loss of maintenance capacity of the nervous system. Neural aging is presented by specialists and even pioneers in their own fields, including evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, embryology, neurology, and pathology. It is thoroughly edited and illustrated, and organized in such a way as to fit, on the one hand the needs of a critical review and, on the other hand the aims of an introductory course on the biology of neural aging.

The volume is divided into four sections. Section I, General Theory of Aging, introduces the problem of aging in general, and aging of the nervous system in particular, in a biophysical and biochemical perspective. Section II, Ontogeny, Evolution and Neural Aging, addresses evolutionary and ontogenetical topics. Section III, Tissue and Cellular Changes, presents the adult brain, and terminating with a descri ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very Concise
With almost 700 pages and an ominously black cover, the exterior of this book places it with so many other neuroscience texts: long, dull and confusing. But read on - there may be more to this book than meets the visual cortex... Concise Text of Neuroscience aims to provide the medical student with a relevant knowledge of the main topics in neuroscience. It achieves this in fifteen chapters, each one integrating the necessary neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with a related section on clinical neurology. The neuroanatomy is described with the aid of illustrations which, while only in one colour, are beautifully clear. Clinical sections include case histories which allow the reader to apply the acquired knowledge to a realistic situation. "Further application" questions and excellent summaries add to the quality of this book as a learning resource. Adding further to this are the appendices, covering neuroembryology, neurological examination, neurological imaging, and a simple-but-detailed MRI atlas. To me, however, the most important characteristic of any book attempting to cover such a complex subject is clarity of the writing style. In this area Concise Text excels. It explains difficult concepts in an understandable fashion, and amazingly retains its conciseness - the conciseness that allows the integration of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and clinical neurology into one textbook. As a medical student, you will be required to have a working knowledge of neuroscience. If you're looking for a book that teaches the essentials with good detail, but omits the useless facts, then this could be a useful one to have. ... Read more

Book Description

Fundamental Neuroscience is the only comprehensive text that defines the full scope of neuroscience. Developed in accordance with results of extensive reviews by neuroscience instructors, this text is divided into seven integrated sections. Each section may be used for a specific course, or the full text may be adopted to provide a broad-based curriculum that will carry the student from molecular to cognitive neuroscience.Special Features: Written by approximately 100 authors who are specialists in their field
Careful editing ensures a uniform style and cross-referencing between chapters
Prepared in cooperation with the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs
Created through the stewardship of an internationally renowned editorial board
Developed in accordance with the results of extensive reviews by neuroscience instructors
Provides historical context and addresses the progress of neuroscience and psychology disciplines
Covers integrative systems and the clinical significance of neurobiology
Provides comprehensive coverage of molecular, cellular, developmental, organismal, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience
Includes nearly 1000 high-quality color illustrations
Provides discussions of key experiments
Includes clinical correlations and examples from a wide range of species
Presents critical ethical content
CD-ROM of images is available for presentations and course instruction (CD-ROM only, ISBN: 0-12-78-871-X/Deluxe Edition with Book & CD-ROM, ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Serious in-depth coverage of important field
This book is a veritable tour de force from leading researchers in the area of neuroscience. It is comprehensive in scope going from modern molecular and cellular neuroscience to cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. Includes strong sections on developmental neuroscience, sensory and motor neuroscience, and regulatory systems. The book is extremely well and attractively produced; the graphics are superb. Exceptional value for money. It has been written by leading scholars involved in teaching neuroscience at the graduate level (although it may be suited to advanced undergraduates and academic medical students). Definitely the leading book in the area; required reading for professional neuroscientists and academic clinicians.

A beautiful review of neuroscience.
To me as bibliophiliac and a cognitive psychologist interested in neurobiology, this is the textbook of choice and an object of desire. It is very up-to-date and well-written. Although some people have detected some lack of coherence in this work, I find it refreshing that the sections recognizably come from different research teams with somewhat different points of emphasis, but without anyone pushing his own scientific interests on the expense of those of the readers. This also guarantees that it is not only an accumulation of facts but has also interesting theoretical discussions by leading researchers. It is optimal for readers having at least some laypeople knowledge about biology, medicine, or neuroscience, and just want to know more (possibly everything), or who require a thorough and citable review of a certain topic. Readers completely new to the field may find it difficult to pick out the information suited for a beginner level - a less voluminous book would be more helpful for them. I would rather not recommend it for undergraduates courses. I would also prefer a somewhat stronger emphasis on cognitive neuroscience - after all, a few hundred pages more would do no harm...!

Too detailed
This text is not appropiate for any for introductory class to neuroscience at any level (whether grad or undergrad). The depth and detail leaves the reader confused at best. Perhaps it is suitable for an advanced gradute seeking to remedy any detail oriented holes. For all others, it is a precursor to a headache.
The smart money would go with the Kandel who clearly defines
his purpose at the outset of his classic book.
(I notice that the reviewer ,who bestowed the text 4 stars, and the author both call San Diego their home.)

Truly Fundamental!
I was rather lucky to take my chances and go-for-a-buy for this title instead of the much more cited "Kandel-Fourth Edition"... The book is really awesome, well-written and edited, with many good first-time-seen illustrations. It spans the whole field of contemporary Neuroscience (from biochemical to cognitive and clinical) with extreme efficacy and reference. The authors did a great job integrating the contents of each section with clarifying examples and extensive references, making it ideal even for new-comers. As a medical student with research interests in this vast field, I was very pleased with my decision to buy this textbook.

A must in any med-school
This book can make any person understand the basic aspects of Pathology, it requires a good level of Histology knowledge ( not more than a good approach of the previous course ). Excellent images and explanations make this issue a good purchase.

The only drawback I've found is the fancy words the authors use to define something it's easy to understand, but after all I think it's a vey good choice. ... Read more

Book Description

Prepared at the request of several committees of Congress, this report discusses the medical, social, political, and financial aspects of dementia in the elderly and assesses the impact of these diseases on the Nation. The U.S. Office of Technology Assessment published this first government report on Alzheimer’s disease in 1987. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent
Excellent book to be used as both a text and review source. Icons on the side of pages tend to be more distracting than helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has come a long way since early experiments in animals where it was found to induce a sleep-like state, and from its use in general anaesthesia in human subjects. Soon it was found to be a naturally-occurring compound in the brain, a metabolite of GABA, the emerging ubiquitous inhibitory neurotransmitter. This opened up a completely new line of research in an effort to establish a function for GHB.

This book has brought together the combined expertise of many of the leading authorities on the biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology of GHB in the central nervous system. Each chapter is an in-depth review of the field and the book itself will appeal to all neurobiologists interested in neurotransmitter mechanisms, as well as to clinicians and other health-care workers interested in this fascinating chemical. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Convinced that drug therapies based on dopamine replacement would never fully relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Dr. Curt Freed instead cut to the core of the matter--quite literally--and explored ways to replace damaged neurological systems caused by the disease. Healing the Brain meticulously chronicles his development and testing of a controversial surgical method, in which microscopic "noodles" of fetal brain tissue were implanted in the brains of suffering patients.

Fueled by major funding from the National Institutes of Health, Freed conducted the first double-blind fetal cell transplant study--a project involving 40 patients and spanning an unexpected five years (1994-1999). He hoped to show that such transplants would help the brain heal by repairing critical pathways that appear damaged in Parkinson's patients.

To some degree, he succeeded. Throughout this vivid account, Freed and coauthor Simon LeVay carefully outline the history of Parkinson's, treatment successes and failures, and all the players (patients, politicians, and fellow researchers) in Freed's fight against this progressively degenerative disease. While most of the text reads easily, the surgical accounts will challenge queasy stomachs; every action and reaction (by patient, doctor, and equipment) is recorded here. Most compelling, however, is Freed's insight into the disease itself and his confidence that science eventually will provide a cure. --Liane Emory Thomas ... Read more