Neurosciences Books

Book Synopsis“[This] book will convince you that forgetting helps you remember and distractions can make you more creative.” —Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of TED’s WorkLife podcast“Illuminating, and a joy to read, [Scatterbrain] offers … a refreshingly accessible and relatable take on the brain’s inner workings that should appeal to both science buffs and casual readers.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)In this mind-bending book, an esteemed neuroscientist explains why perfectionism is pointless—and argues that mistakes, missteps, and flaws are the keys to success.Remember that time you screwed up simple math or forgot the name of your favorite song? What if someone told you that such embarrassing “brain farts” are actually secret weapons, proof of your superiority to computers and AI?In Scatterbrain, we learn that boredom awakens the muse, distractions spark creativity, and misjudging time creates valuable memories, among other benefits of our faulty minds. Throughout, award-winning neuroscientist Henning Beck’s hilarious asides and brain-boosting advice make for delightful reading of the most cutting-edge neuroscience our brains will (maybe never) remember.Trade Review“Illuminating, and a joy to read, [Scatterbrain] offers, in comparison to other recent neuroscience titles, a refreshingly accessible and relatable take on the brain’s inner workings that should appeal to both science buffs and casual readers.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)“Scatterbrain is the perfect explanation for one’s great achievements and an excellent excuse for those frequent mishaps.”—The Psychologist“There are so many fascinating nuggets of information in this book… All in all, a romp of a read.”—Human Givens Journal“Being scatterbrained has long been seen as a disadvantage, but as a neuroscientist, Henning Beck knows better. His engaging book will convince you that forgetting helps you remember and distractions can make you more creative.”—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of TED's WorkLife podcast“Beck is definitely a scientist of the people and his approach ensures that all readers can glean something intriguing from this book's pages.”—Booklist“For anyone who has ever momentarily blanked on a name, choked under pressure, or kicked themselves for making a 'careless' mistake, you may now forgive yourself. With this insightful and accessible book, Beck humorously sledgehammers the notion that our brains are infallible.”—Zach Schonbrun, author of The Performance Cortex“In an era of continuous self-optimization, Scatterbrain by German neuroscientist Dr. Henning Beck offers novel insights on our often self-defeating pursuit of perfection, and provides a roadmap to more creative thinking and better decision-making to realize one’s full potential. A must-read!”—Sandra Navidi, Founder and CEO of BeyondGlobal and author of $uperHubs“Scatterbrain is a brilliant and engaging user’s guide to the brain, masterfully transforming discoveries from neuroscience into practical personal insights and disruptive corporate practice.”—Donald Hoffman, Professor of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, and author of The Case Against Reality“The brain is a messy, faulty wonder, and if we could all agree that perfection is not the mind’s ultimate goal, we would be much better off. Henning Beck shows us how to appreciate our imperfect brains—and is fine with readers straying from the page from time to time!”—Ylva Østby, author of Adventures in Memory

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is really happening in your brain when you use your phone, and how to harness it.We pick up our phones on average 80 times a day, and approximately a quarter of our waking hours are spent in front of a screen. We self-interrupt our work and social lives, forgo sleep, procrastinate important tasks and opt for digital distraction when we're bored or feel uncomfortable. Worst-case scenario, we're told phone use is melting our brains, creating a mental health epidemic and machines are taking over the world.But how much of this is true and what can we do about it?NHS neurology doctor and neuroscientist Faye Begeti explains the science behind why we have formed so many fixed and negative habits around our devices. She reflects on both deliberate choices and automatic behaviours, whilst also challenging myths around digital addiction', the harmfulness of blue light and how dopamine functions in the brain.Rather than recommending a quick-fix digital diet or abstinence unviable for most people and pointless given the way our brain works The Phone Fix offers a practical guide, based on neuroscientific techniques, on building supportive digital habits. Begeti shows that technology is not inherently bad or frightening and that by better understanding what is happening in our brains, we can replenish our willpower and improve our focus, forming a healthier relationship with our phones and therefore the people around us.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChapter 1: Establishing the Groundwork for Successful Aging.- Chapter 2: Art and Successful Aging: Françoise Gilot (1921 – 2023).- Chapter 3: Dedication to Science and Successful Aging: Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909 – 2012).- Chapter 4: Adversity and Successful Aging: Jerome Isaac Friedman (1930 – Present).- Chapter 5: Music, Science, and Successful Aging: Edmond Fischer (1920 – 2021).- Chapter 6: Una Vida, Of Mind and Music, and Alzheimer’s Disease.- Chapter 7: Cellular and Behavioral Linkages to Cognitive Preservation.- Chapter 8: Cell Dysfunctions and Regulators of Longevity.- Chapter 9: Neuronal Plasticity, Connectomics, and Engagement of Extensive Brain Areas by Music.- Chapter 10: Resiliency: Responses to Trauma.- Chapter 11: Successful Aging and Bioactive Lipids in the CNS.- Chapter 12: Age-Related Cognitive Decay is Not Unavoidable.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe human brain is made up of 85 billion neurons, which are connected by over 100 trillion synapses. For more than a century, a diverse array of researchers searched for a language that could be used to capture the essence of what these neurons do and how they communicate and how those communications create thoughts, perceptions and actions. The language they were looking for was mathematics, and we would not be able to understand the brain as we do today without it.In Models of the Mind, author and computational neuroscientist Grace Lindsay explains how mathematical models have allowed scientists to understand and describe many of the brain''s processes, including decision-making, sensory processing, quantifying memory, and more. She introduces readers to the most important concepts in modern neuroscience, and highlights the tensions that arise when the abstract world of mathematical modelling collides with the messy details of biology. Each chapter of MoTrade ReviewGrace Lindsay provides a masterful tour of this important frontier, tackling intimidating topics with verve and wit. * Sean Carroll *This is a remarkable book … an excellent introduction to an area that few of us probably know anything about, and all the more fascinating because of that. * Popular Science *Models of the Mind is a grand tour through the history of computational neuroscience, from its humble beginnings in information theory and neuron structure up to its modern manifestations harnessing supercomputers to run large scale convolutional neural networks that model important brain systems. * Women You Should Know *The book is not only wide-ranging in its choice of topics but is also a lively journey through the history of these efforts and traces the lives of the eccentric and fascinating scientists who were instrumental in figuring out the brain’s working by using tools ranging from information theory and graph theory to Bayesian modeling and neural networks. * 3 Quarks Daily * ‘Enthralling, erudite and accessible … an engrossing history of science and an enlightening guide to neuroscience’s current frontiers.’ * Liam Drew, Neurobiologist and author of I, Mammal: The Story of What Makes Us Mammals *‘This book is an anthology of the scientific poetry that has illuminated our studies and conceptions of the brain.’ * Professor Larry Abbott, Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, Columbia University *Table of Contents1: Spherical Cows 2: How Neurons Get Their Spike 3: Learning to Compute 4: Making and Maintaining Memories 5: Excitation and Inhibition 6: Stages of Sight 7: Cracking the Neural Code 8: Movement in Low Dimensions 9: From Structure to Function 10: Making Rational Decisions 11: How Rewards Guide Actions 12: Grand Unified Theories of the Brain Mathematical Appendix Acknowledgements Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. A framework for mind and brain 2. The Brain 3. Observing the Brain 4. The Art of Seeing 5. Sound, Speech, and Music Perception 6. Language and Thought 7. Learning and Remembering 8. Attention and Consciousness 9. Decisions, Goals, and Actions 10. Humans are Social Beings 11. Feelings 12. Sleep and levels of consciousness 13. Disorders of Consciousness 14. Growing Up

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the incredible possibilities of the female brain in midlife, redefine the menopause and access your most vital, confident and wise phase yet.‘This is an important book. I want all women to read it. I wish I had read it years ago!’ Jane FondaMidlife doesn't have to mean crisis, chaos or confusion. In fact, research shows that women become happier with every decade of their lives. Discover the incredible possibilities of the female brain during the second half of life, redefine the perimenopause and menopause, and access your most vital, confident phase yet. Bestselling author and clinical professor of psychiatry Dr Louann Brizendine dives deep into how the female brain changes for the better during midlife and debunks myths and misinformation to create a revolutionary new framework for this life stage. Packed full of real-life examples, accessible scientific studies and practical advice, The Upgrade shows you how to unlock power, clarity and a profound sense of purpose. You'll discover how to:· find freedom and self-confidence with your neurobiology, explained in an approachable way· see hormones as a positive influence on your cognition, memory and mood· protect yourself from dementia and increase longevity and wellbeing· change the conversation in culture about midlife and, more importantly, change the conversation in your own head to reclaim this time in your lifeIt’s time to embrace and step purposefully into a more authentic powerful version of YOU, full of wisdom, stability and courage.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor all of neuroscience's advances, we've made little progress on its biggest question: How do simple cells in the brain create intelligence?Jeff Hawkins and his team discovered that the brain uses maplike structures to build a model of the world-not just one model, but hundreds of thousands of models of everything we know. This discovery allows Hawkins to answer important questions about how we perceive the world, why we have a sense of self, and the origin of high-level thought.A Thousand Brains heralds a revolution in the understanding of intelligence. It is a big-think book, in every sense of the word. One of the Financial Times' Best Books of 2021One of Bill Gates' Five Favorite Books of 2021

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Compelling and wise and rational.' - Jon RonsonOne in four of us experience a mental health problem each year, with anxiety and depression alone affecting over 500 million people worldwide.Why are these conditions so widespread? What is it about modern life that has such an impact on our mental health? And why is there still so much confusion and stigma around these issues?In Psycho-Logical, neuroscientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett answers these questions and more, revealing what is actually going on in our brains when we suffer mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and addiction.Combining illuminating scientific research with first-hand insights from people who deal with mental health problems on a daily basis, this is an honest, entertaining and reassuring account of how and why these issues occur, and how to make sense of them.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere are more than 100 billion brain cells in our heads, and every single one represents a fragment of thought and feeling. Each cell possesses a mysterious beauty, with branching, intricate patterns like shattered glass. Richard Wingate has been scrutinising them for decades, yet he is still gripped by the myriad of forms when he looks down the microscope. With absorbing lyricism and clarity, Wingate shows how each type of cell possesses its own personality and history, illustrating a milestone of scientific discovery and illuminating the stories of pioneering scientists like Santiago Ramon y Cajal and Francis Crick, and capturing their own fascinating shapes and patterns. Discover the ethereal world of the brain with this elegant little book - and find out how we all think and feel.Trade ReviewA lyrical love letter to the art and science of neuroanatomy. In elegant, evocative prose, Wingate tells the very human tales of the early explorers of the nervous system, highlighting the joy of discovery and the insights that can be had if you just really look. -- Kevin J. Mitchell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience, Trinity College DublinFew books [...] convey so succinctly the combination of care, determination, obsessiveness and imagination that scientists in a field such as neuroscience require to make an advance in knowledge ... A short and exhilarating book * The Oldie *This book is a wonderful description of the cells that make up the brain and how the remarkable organ works ... The author conveys his passion for neuroscience in this volume, which will leave the reader enthralled and wanting more. -- Dr Arpan K Banerjee * Hektoen International *Beautiful, mysterious, and intricate * The Idler *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review“Max Lugavere's new cookbook Genius Kitchen provides not just recipes but also tips for healthier shopping and meal preparation.” — ForbesWomen

Read more less

Book SynopsisRecommended by the New Scientist.'Brilliant.' Stylist'Thoughtful and thought-provoking - you need to read this book' Gina Rippon'An affecting and illuminating book for anyone who has feelings, and who wants to know why.' Katie MackEmotions can be a pain. After losing his dad to Covid-19, Dean Burnett found himself wondering what life would be like without them. And so, he decided to put his feelings under the microscope - for science.In Emotional Ignorance, Dean takes us on an incredible journey of discovery, stretching from the origins of life to the end of the universe. Along the way he reveals:- why we would ever follow our gut;- whether things really were better in the old days;- why doomscrolling is so addictive;- and how sad music can make us happier.Combining expert analysis, brilliant humour and powerful insights into the grieving process, Dean uncovers how, far from holding us back, our emotions make us who we are.Readers love Emotional Ignorance:'Intriguing, illuminating and thought-provoking.''A fascinating exploration of our emotions and how they enhance all of our lives (and why it doesn't always feel that way).''A scientific book about emotions that causes emotions. A wonder indeed.'

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn illustrated introduction to the evolution and early development of the brain, emotions, and personalityDesigned for psychologists, psychotherapists, and childcare professionals, this book is an accessible primer on developmental neuropsychology, combining easy-to-understand text with light-hearted illustrations. Covering topics such as the autonomic nervous system, neuroaffective development, the prefrontal cortex, and the zone of proximal development, The Neuroaffective Picture Book is a unique and useful tool for learning about emotions, social skills, and self-regulation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSleep. Memory. Pleasure. Fear. Language. We experience these things every day, but how do our brains create them? Your Brain, Explained is a personal tour around your gray matter. Neuroscientist Marc Dingman gives you a crash course in how your brain works and explains the latest research on the brain functions that affect you on a daily basis.You''ll also discover what happens when the brain doesn''t work the way it should, causing problems such as insomnia, ADHD, depression, or addiction. You''ll learn how neuroscience is working to fix these problems, and how you can build up your defenses against the most common faults of the mind.Along the way you''ll find out: Why brain training games don''t prevent dementia What it''s like to remember every day of your life as if it were yesterday Which popular psychiatric drug was created from German rocket fuel How you might unknowingly be sabotaging your sleep

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor centuries, scientists had only one way to study the brain: wait for misfortune to strike - strokes, seizures, infections, lobotomies, horrendous accidents, phantom limbs, Siamese twins - and see how the victims changed afterwards. In many cases their survival was miraculous, and observers marvelled at the transformations that took place when different parts of the brain were destroyed. Parents suddenly couldn't recognise their children. Pillars of the community became pathological liars and paedophiles. Some people couldn't speak but could still sing. Others couldn't read but could write.The stories of these people laid the foundations of modern neuroscience and, century by century, key cases taught scientists what every last region of the brain did. With lucid explanations and incisive wit, Sam Kean explores the brain's secret passageways and recounts the forgotten tales of the ordinary individuals whose struggles, resilience and deep humanity made neuroscience possible.Trade ReviewKean's lively new book unpacks a bundle of fascinating, alarming and sometimes heartbreaking case histories * Mail on Sunday *Entertaining... Some of his stories are astonishing... Kean tells a good story and asks the right questions * The Sunday Times *Kean...reveal[s] how intracranial calamities have built neuroscience case by puzzled-out case, gross anatomy to consciousness. However pop the science, there is much to compel * Nature *The author's skill in illuminating how the brain functions and malfunctions manifest themselves in people's lives makes for absorbing reading....These avowals ultimately raise weighty, compelling questions about the nature of identity and what it means to be human * Wall Street Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsI. Preclinical essentials 1. Physiology of pituitary hormones 2. Principles of laboratory investigation for pituitary hormones 3. Pathophysiology and genetics in pituitary tumors 4. Pathophysiology and genetics in craniopharyngioma 5. Anatomy of the pituitary region II. Neuroradiological and ophthalmological diagnosis in pituitary tumors 6. Morphological imaging including imaging anatomy 7. Functional imaging 8. Neuroophthalmological diagnosis III. Endocrinological diagnosis and replacement therapy for hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus in pituitary tumors 9. Endocrinological diagnosis and replacement therapy for hypopituitarism 10. Endocrinological diagnosis and replacement therapy for diabetes insipidus 11. The role of nurses in supporting selfmanagement for patients with hypopituitarism IV. Endocrinological diagnosis and medical treatment in functioning pituitary adenomas 12. Prolactinomas: Diagnosis and medical treatment 13. Endocrinological diagnosis in acromegaly 14. Medical treatment in acromegaly 15. The diagnosis of Cushing’s disease 16. Medical management of Cushing’s disease 17. Endocrinological diagnosis and treatment V. Surgical treatment of pituitary tumors 18. Microscopic transsphenoidal surgery 19. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: Including a brief history of transsphenoidal surgery 20. Risks of transsphenoidal surgery 21. Ophthalmologic outcome of transsphenoidal surgery 22. Endocrinological outcome of transsphenoidal surgery in pituitary adenomas 23. Extended transsphenoidal surgery 24. Transcranial surgery 25. Video presentations of pituitary surgery VI. Histo-pathological classification of pituitary tumors 26. Pathology of pituitary adenoma 27. Pathology of nonadenomatous pituitary tumors and tumor-like lesions VII. Perioperative and postoperative management in patients with pituitary adenomas 28. Perioperative neurosurgical management 29. Perioperative endocrinological management in patients with pituitary adenomas 30. Perioperative and postoperative nursing care 31. Postoperative endocrinological follow-up 32. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging use in the posttreatment follow-up of secreting pituitary adenomas VIII. Radiotherapy for pituitary adenomas 33. Fractionated radiotherapy for pituitary adenomas 34. Pituitary adenomas: Radiosurgery IX. Aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas 35. Management of aggressive pituitary tumors 36. Medical treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors X. Diagnosis, treatment and outcome in nonfunctioning pituitary tumors and lesions 37. Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary tumors 38. Childhood-onset craniopharyngiomas 39. Adult craniopharyngiomas 40. Rathke’s cleft cysts and arachnoid cysts 41. Perisellar solid tumors 42. Inflammatory pituitary lesions 43. Vascular lesions and aneurysms XI. Diagnosis and treatment of co-morbidities in pituitary tumors 44. Psychiatric disorders 45. Metabolic disorders 46. Osteoporosis and arthropathy in functioning pituitary tumors XII. Special issues 47. Pituitary incidentaloma 48. Pituitary apoplexy 49. Management of pituitary tumors in pregnancy 50. Quality of life in pituitary tumors 51. Multidisciplinary team perspective: A model of care for patients with pituitary tumors

Read more less

Book SynopsisSensation & Perception, Sixth Edition, introduces students to their own senses, emphasizing human sensory and perceptual experience and the basic neuroscientific underpinnings of that experience. The authors, specialists in their respective domains, strive to spread their enthusiasm for fundamental questions about the human senses and the impact that answers to those questions can have on medical and societal issues.Trade ReviewThis is one of the most complete texts of sensation and perception on the market. It includes great examples and recent research to help students understand one of the most important pieces of experimental psychology. * Adam Hutcheson, Georgia Gwinnet College *This is the best perception book on the market. It has been honed through multiple editions and is up-to-date and clear without pandering. * Colin Ellard, University of Waterloo *Sensation & Perception does a great job linking neurophysiology to behavior and perceptions. It also offers a good balance between neuroscience and cognitive psychology. * Dave Pittman, Wofford College *Sensation & Perception is clearly-written, with well-placed examples and graphics to effectively demonstrate the components and the significance of perception. Students will like the succinctness and simplicity of the author's writing style. * T.C. Sim, Sam Houston State University *Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The First Steps in Vision: From Light to Neural Signals Chapter 3. Spatial Vision: From Spots to Stripes Chapter 4. Perceiving and Recognizing Objects Chapter 5. The Perception of Color Chapter 6. Space Perception and Binocular Vision Chapter 7. Attention and Scene Perception Chapter 8. Visual Motion Perception Chapter 9. Hearing: Physiology and Psychoacoustics Chapter 10. Hearing in the Environment Chapter 11. Music and Speech Perception Chapter 12. Vestibular Sensation Chapter 13. Touch Chapter 14. Taste Chapter 15. Olfaction

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn Parrington argues that social interaction and culture have deeply shaped the exceptional nature of human consciousness.The mental capacities of the human mind far outstrip those of other animals. Our imaginations and creativity have produced art, music, and literature; built bridges and cathedrals; enabled us to probe distant galaxies, and to ponder the meaning of our existence. When our minds become disordered, they can also take us to the depths of despair. What makes the human brain unique, and able to generate such a rich mental life?In this book, John Parrington draws on the latest research on the human brain to show how it differs strikingly from those of other animals in its structure and function at a molecular and cellular level. And he argues that this ''shift'', enlarging the brain, giving it greater flexibility and enabling higher functions such as imagination, was driven by tool use, but especially by the development of one remarkable tool - language.The complex sociaTrade Reviewimpressive study * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *John Parrington gives us a very personal take on what it is to be human from the viewpoint of the mind/brain... a genuinely interesting [book]... Parrington's theme is fascinating, and the book is loaded with ideas. * Popular Science *A tour de force that will equally interest both scientists and those who consider themselves over on the humanities side. * Richard Lofthouse, Quad *John Parrington has already proved himself a master-explainer, transmitting the extraordinary breakthroughs in contemporary science to a non-specialist readership. Now he takes on the big question of the relationship between cultural change and the development of the human brain. The result is a book of remarkable range and empathy, in which readers with a background in the humanities will learn a great deal of neuroscience and those with scientific interests will encounter great cultural riches, as Parrington brings together the theory of play, problems of mental illness and much, much more. * Sir Jonathan Bate, Foundation Professor of Environmental Humanities, Arizona State University *What is it about the human brain that allowed it to take over every corner of the planet? And what does that have to do with language, culture, art, and consciousness? With a keen and insightful eye, Parrington dissects what we know about the mind and rebuilds it into a powerful framework. * David Eagleman, neuroscientist at Stanford and NYT best-selling author of Livewired and The Runaway Species *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Origins of Mind 1: Mind and Matter 2: Tool and Symbol 3: Individual and Society Part II: Mind and Brain 4: Nerve and Brain 5: Genome and Epigenome 6: Growth and Development Part III: The Dynamic Mind 7: Learning and Memory 8: Thought and Language 9: Creativity and Imagination 10: Emotion and Reason 11: Conscious and Unconscious Part IV: Mind in Trouble 12: Sanity and Madness 13: Depression and Anxiety 14: Normality and Diversity 15: Crime and Punishment Part V: The Social Mind 16: Class and Division 17: Resistance and Rebellion Part VI: Mind and Culture 18: Music and Rhythm 19: Art and Design 20: Fact and Fiction 21: Science and Technology Part VII: The Future of Mind 22: Mind and Meaning 23: Mind and Machine A 21st Century Mind Glossary Endnotes

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy does holding a hot drink make us like people more?How can a soldier under fire not even notice he''s been shot?What makes sex so much fun?Touch is the most important sense we have. Without it, we cannot entirely feel pleasure or pain - we are less than human.In fact, as David Linden demonstrates in the astonishing stories gathered here, touch is central to who we are - from choosing our partners to comforting us on our deathbeds.Exploring the many surprising facts and myths about our sense of touch, Linden reveals how it defines us - and how, by understanding it, we can better know ourselves.Trade ReviewIlluminating. Drawing on a wide range of cutting-edge scientific research, Linden provides plenty of insights into how our sense of touch shapes our experience of the world and our idea of self * Sunday Times *This book is excellent. It tells you why footballers hug each other when a goal is scored, and why there are vampire bats. Linden is very good and clear on the raw neurology * Spectator *Absorbing. The bizarre vagaries of touch affect us all, [and] all this is backed up with a good deal of hard neuroscience. Following Linden's thread is worth it * The Times *Most of us take the tactile senses for granted. You won't after reading this book. The best science writers infect you with their fascination for the subject - that's exactly what Linden achieves here * BBC Focus *A treasure trove for anyone wanting to decode the frisson of a lover's caress * Playboy *Will make you think more deeply about every itch, scrape and caress * Washington Post *Fascinating. This book has changed my life -- Salley Vickers * Observer *A touching story? A tactless comment? So elemental is the sense of touch that it permeates metaphors we live by. Linden explores the 'weird, complex, and often counter-intuitive' tactile system and its intimate impact on the human experience * Nature *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exploration of why people all over the world love to engage in pain on purpose--from dominatrices, religious ascetics, and ultramarathoners to ballerinas, icy ocean bathers, and sideshow performersMasochism is sexy, human, reviled, worshipped, and can be delightfully bizarre. Deliberate and consensual pain has been with us for millennia, encompassing everyone from Black Plague flagellants to ballerinas dancing on broken bones to competitive eaters choking down hot peppers while they cry. Masochism is a part of us. It lives inside workaholics, tattoo enthusiasts, and all manner of garden variety pain-seekers.At its core, masochism is about feeling bad, then better-a phenomenon that is long overdue for a heartfelt and hilarious investigation. And Leigh Cowart would know: they are not just a researcher and science writer-they're an inveterate, high-sensation seeking masochist. And they have a few questions: Why do people engage in masochism? What are the benefits and the costs? And what does masochism have to say about the human experience?By participating in many of these activities themselves, and through conversations with psychologists, fellow scientists, and people who seek pain for pleasure, Cowart unveils how our minds and bodies find meaning and relief in pain-a quirk in our programming that drives discipline and innovation even as it threatens to swallow us whole.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is the material basis of the thoughts that occur inside our heads?Where do imaginative, creative, or spiritual thoughts come from - can these really be the product of nerve impulses in the brain? And is the human mind radically different from that of other species, or is our uniqueness more superficial than real? In this book, Oxford biologist John Parrington proposes a radical new theory of human consciousness, arguing that a qualitative leap in consciousness occurred during human evolution as language and the use of tools transformed our brains. Rejecting outdated views of the brain as a hard-wired circuit diagram, he draws on the latest insights from neuroscience to show that meaning is created within our heads through a dynamic interaction of oscillating brain waves. This new model of consciousness not only provides a material basis of our innermost thoughts but also explains why the mind can sometimes go wrong, causing deep mental distress.Trade ReviewAn interesting and thought-provoking exploration of consciousness * Popular Science *

Read more less

Book Synopsis2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner - Science Category2018 Forward Indies Finalist - Psychology CategoryWhy are we obsessed with the things we want only to be bored when we get them? Why is addiction perfectly logical to an addict? Why does love change so quickly from passion to indifference? Why are some people die-hard liberals and others hardcore conservatives? Why are we always hopeful for solutions even in the darkest times—and so good at figuring them out? The answer is found in a single chemical in your brain: dopamine. Dopamine ensured the survival of early man. Thousands of years later, it is the source of our most basic behaviors and cultural ideas—and progress itself. Dopamine is the chemical of desire that always asks for more—more stuff, more stimulation, and more surprises. In pursuit of these things, it is undeterred by emotion, fear, or morality. Dopamine is the source of our every urge, that little bit of biology that makes an ambitious business professional sacrifice everything in pursuit of success, or that drives a satisfied spouse to risk it all for the thrill of someone new. Simply put, it is why we seek and succeed; it is why we discover and prosper. Yet, at the same time, it's why we gamble and squander. From dopamine's point of view, it's not the having that matters. It's getting something—anything—that's new. From this understanding—the difference between possessing something versus anticipating it—we can understand in a revolutionary new way why we behave as we do in love, business, addiction, politics, religion—and we can even predict those behaviors in ourselves and others. In The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and will Determine the Fate of the Human Race, George Washington University professor and psychiatrist Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and Georgetown University lecturer Michael E. Long present a potentially life-changing proposal: Much of human life has an unconsidered component that explains an array of behaviors previously thought to be unrelated, including why winners cheat, why geniuses often suffer with mental illness, why nearly all diets fail, and why the brains of liberals and conservatives really are different.Trade Review"Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long have pulled off an amazing feat. They have made a biography of a neurotransmitter a riveting read. Once you understand the power and peril of dopamine, you'll better understand the human condition itself." —Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and When "Meet a molecule whose fingerprint rests upon every aspect of human nature—from desire and drugs to politics and progress. Lieberman and Long tell the epic saga of dopamine as a page-turner that you simply can't put down."​​ —David Eagleman, PhD, neuroscientist at Stanford and New York Times bestselling author "I've worked as an artist for forty years, and the question ‘Why am I like this?' has been a puzzle, a mystery, a plea, and an occasional cry to the heavens. Lieberman and Long have created a road map for all those wrestling between insatiable longing and the here and now." —Thomas F. Wilson, actor and comedian "Why do we crave what we don't have rather than feel good about what we do—and why do fools fall in love? Haunting questions of human biology are answered by The Molecule of More, a must-read about the human condition." —Gregg Easterbrook, author of It's Better Than It Looks "As a guy who creates musical stuff for a living and reads science books for kicks, I was doubly hooked by The Molecule of More. Lieberman and Long lay out the astoundingly wide-ranging effects of dopamine with nimble metaphors and fat-free sentences. And the research linking creativity and madness, with dopamine as the hidden culprit—let's just say it hit home. Reading each chapter, I felt myself fitting a key smoothly into a locked door, opening onto a fresh-yet-familiar room." —Robbie Fulks, Grammy-nominated recording artist "Jim Watson, who deciphered the genetic code, famously said, ‘There are only molecules; the rest is sociology,' adding fuel to C. P. Snow's complaint that Science and the humanities are two fundamentally different "cultures" which will never meet. The authors argue provocatively, yet convincingly, that the molecule that allows us to bridge the chasm between them is dopamine. Though written for ordinary people, the narrative is sprinkled throughout with dazzling new insights that will appeal equally to specialists." —V.S. Ramachandran, PhD, professor at the University of California, San Diego, and at Salk Institute and author of TheEmerging MindTable of Contents Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: Up Versus Down......................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1: Love............................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Drugs............................................................................................................. 45 Chapter 3: Domination.................................................................................................... 89 Chapter 4: Creativity and Madness............................................................................... 152 Chapter 5: Politics......................................................................................................... 197 Chapter 6: Progress....................................................................................................... 246 Chapter 7: Harmony...................................................................................................... 283 Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSensory overload can leave us feeling empty, or even thirsting for ever more stimulation. Here is a more balanced, health giving way of experiencing and understanding the human senses. The author starts by appreciating the rich tapestry of not just five, but twelve senses. These are the senses of touch, life, self-movement, balance, smell, taste, vision, temperature, hearing, language, the conceptual and the ego senses.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNeuroanatomy through Clinical Cases is widely acclaimed for bringing a pioneering interactive approach to the teaching of neuroanatomy. The book uses over 100 actual clinical cases and high-quality radiologic images to bring the subject to life. The third edition is fully updated with the latest advances in the field, and includes several exciting new cases. This approach allows students to appreciate the clinical relevance of structural details as they are being learned, and to integrate knowledge of disparate functional systems, so the practical knowledge of neuroanatomy is not soon forgotten.Trade ReviewNeuroanatomy through Clinical Cases continues to be an amazing book. It stands the test of time. I have learned from it as a medical student, neuroscience student, Neurology resident, and now as faculty. Thinking clinically about neuroanatomy helps crystallize challenging subject matter and provides a firm foundation for the clinicians of today and tomorrow. * Kumar Narayanan, MD, PhD, University of Iowa *This book is a must-have for every student and clinician. The case-based learning is not only applicable to every learner at every stage, but also very enjoyable! This book sets the bar for the field! * David M. Greer, MD, Boston University School of Medicine *I return to this book again and again. It is a must-read for students new to neuroanatomy and a go-to reference for the most experienced clinician. No other neuroanatomy reference presents such a comprehensive accounting of the nuts and bolts, a dynamic rendering of the systems and operations, and a living, breathing, human understanding of the clinical experience. * Susan Vandermorris, PhD, Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest *Let us admit, human neuroanatomy is a daunting topic dreaded by most of us studying neurosciences. I had the great fortune of preparing for my neurology boards with the first edition of Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases and will be forever grateful to Dr. Blumenfeld for making neuroanatomy so much fun and so easy to learn! The fully updated new edition of the book is truly an amazing gift to all of us at any stage of our careers. * Sule Tinaz, MD, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine *“Excellent case discussions.” - Steve L. Mackey, Columbia University“I think this continues to be an amazing book and stands the test of time.” - Kumar Narayanan, University of IowaTable of Contents1. Introduction to Clinical Case Presentations 2.Neuroanatomy Overview and Basic Definitions 3.The Neurologic Exam as a Lesson in Neuroanatomy 4.Introduction to Clinical Neuroradiology 5.Brain and Environs: Cranium, Ventricles, and Meninges 6.Corticospinal Tract and Other Motor Pathways 7.Somatosensory Pathways 8.Spinal Nerve Roots 9.Major Plexuses and Peripheral Nerves 10. Cerebral Hemispheres and Vascular Supply 11. Visual System 12. Brainstem I: Surface Anatomy and Cranial Nerves 13. Brainstem II: Eye Movements and Pupillary Control 14. Brainstem III: Internal Structures and Vascular Supply 15. Cerebellum 16. Basal Ganglia 17. Pituitary and Hypothalamus 18. Limbic System: Homeostasis, Olfaction, Memory and Emotion 19. Higher-Order Cerebral Function Epilogue: A Simple Working Model of the Mind

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Hugely entertaining' Guardian'Fascinating' Mail on SundayIn 1882, Jean-Martin Charcot was the premiere physician in Paris, having just established a neurology clinic at the infamous Salpêtrière Hospital, a place that was called a 'grand asylum of human misery'. Assessing the dismal conditions, he quickly upgraded the facilities, and in doing so, revolutionized the treatment of mental illness. Many of Charcot's patients had neurosyphilis (the advanced form of syphilis), a disease of mad poets, novelists, painters, and musicians, and a driving force behind the overflow of patients in Europe's asylums. A sexually transmitted disease, it is known as 'the great imitator' since its symptoms resemble those of almost any biological disease or mental illness. It is also the perfect lens through which to peel back the layers to better understand the brain and the mind. Yet, Charcot's work took a bizarre turn when he brought mesmerism - hypnotism - into his clinic, abandoning his pursuit of the biological basis of illness in favour of the far sexier and theatrical treatment of female 'hysterics', whose symptoms mimic those seen in brain disease, but were elusive in origin. This and a general fear of contagion set the stage for Sigmund Freud, whose seductive theory, Freudian analysis, brought sex and hysteria onto the psychiatrist couch, leaving the brain behind. How The Brain Lost Its Mind tells this rich and compelling story, and raises a host of philosophical and practical questions. Are we any closer to understanding the difference between a sick mind and a sick brain? The real issue remains: where should neurology and psychiatry converge to explore not just the brain, but the nature of the human psyche?Trade ReviewAbsorbing and scholarly... A twin biography of psychiatry and neurology, their study charts this uneasy relationship from marriage to divorce to reconciliation even as fundamental questions about the nature of mental illness remain... Hugely entertaining. * Guardian *A rollicking ride, patient by patient, through the history of two conditions, hysteria and neurosyphilis. * The Times *Central to this book is the ongoing dispute regarding which mental illnesses can be attributed to physical abnormalities within the brain and which originate in the mind, or consciousness. The authors emphasise that in many cases we still cannot be sure... Along the way, their investigations exhume some unforgettable scenes and characters... Fascinating * Mail on Sunday *Rich, compassionate and passionate... Sceptical of the excesses of both psychological and biological reductionism, it is a refreshing call for an intellectual reset and disciplinary rapprochement. -- Anne Harrington * Nature *This aptly titled book picks up where Oliver Sacks left off in examining the behavioral characteristics of neurobehavioral syndromes in an effort to span the gap that has historically separated the twin disciplines of the brain, neurology and psychiatry. * Jeffrey A. Lieberman, author of Shrinks: The Untold Story of Psychiatry *Through tales of eminent physicians and their suffering patients, replete with sex, drugs, and magnetically-induced hypnotism, we learn how a bacterium that deprived countless souls of their reason also helped scientists discover a role for brain biology in mental illness. * Alan Jasanoff, PhD, author of The Biological Mind *Ropper and Burrell have written an insightful, fantastically readable analysis of what was once called "hysteria." Also, by studying how things can go wrong, we learn a great deal about the working of the human mind when things go right. * Elizabeth Loftus, author of Eyewitness Testimony *Table of Contents0: INTRODUCTION 1: A CLINICAL LESSON 2: WHAT IS A DISEASE? 3: PYGMALION AND GALATEA 4: THE INVENTION OF HYSTERIA 5: THE PAPUAN IDOL 6: HEARTS OF DARKNESS 7: THE SOUL OF A NEW DISEASE 8: THE UNSETTLED TERRITORIES OF THE MIND 9: THE DIFFICULT CASE OF ANNA O. 10: THE DEVIL AND ADRIAN LEVERKÜHN 11: SEX AND THE NEW WOMAN 12: WINNING THE BATTLE AND LOSING THE WAR 13: THE PSYCHIC INTERPRETATION OF DISEASE 14: A BEAUTIFUL NAME FOR A HORRIBLE DISEASE 15: MEDICINAL LOBOTOMY: THE INVENTION OF THORAZINE 16: THE FEVERED DREAM OF A SCIENTIFIC PSYCHOLOGY 17: THE LESSONS OF NEUROSYPHILIS

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy are we influenced by the behaviour of complete strangers? Why does the brain register similar pleasure when I perceive something as ''fair'' or when I eat chocolate? Why can we be so profoundly hurt by bereavement? What are the evolutionary benefits of these traits? The young discipline of ''social cognitive neuroscience'' has been exploring this fascinating interface between brain science and human behaviour since the late 1990s. Now one of its founding pioneers, Matthew D. Lieberman, presents the discoveries that he and fellow researchers have made. Using fMRI scanning and a range of other techniques, they have been able to see that the brain responds to social pain and pleasure the same way as physical pain and pleasure; and that unbeknown to ourselves, we are constantly ''mindreading'' other people so that we can fit in with them. It is clear that our brains are designed respond to and be influenced by others. For good evolutionary reasons, he argues, we are wired to be social.Table of ContentsPREFACE; PART ONE: BEGINNINGS; PART TWO: CONNECTION; PART THREE: MINDREADING; PART FOUR: HARMONIZING; PART FIVE: SMARTER, HAPPIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE; EPILOGUE

Read more less

Book SynopsisMatthew Cobb explores the sense of smell - its complex evolutionary history, and its many functions in a wide variety of animals, including humans. He describes the latest scientific research into this remarkable faculty, involving the brain as much as the nose, and reveals surprising insights into animal and human life.Table of ContentsList of illustrations 1: How we smell 2: Smelling with genes 3: Animal olfaction 4: Human smelling 5: The future of smell 6: Smelling to remember, remembering smells 7: Chemical signals Further reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs more of us live longer, the fear of an old age devastated by brain diseases like dementia is growing. Many people are already facing the challenges posed by these progressive and terminal conditions, whether in person or because they are caring for loved ones. Dementia is now the fifth most common cause of death across the world. It is small wonder that understanding, preventing, and finally curing these illnesses is now a global priority. Recent advances in brain research have given scientists a better chance than ever of finding ways to help patients, carers, and clinicians dealing with dementia. Yet there is still no effective treatment. Why has progress been so slow? And what can we all do to reduce our chances of getting the disease? In this Very Short Introduction Kathleen Taylor offers a guide to the science of dementia and brain ageing. Never forgetting the human costs of brain disorders - movingly illustrated throughout the book - she also discusses their costs to society. Clearly explaining the research, she sets out the main ideas which have driven dementia science, and the new contenders hoping to make a breakthrough. Taylor also looks at risk factors, and how to lower our chances of succumbing to dementia. Assessing current and potential treatments, including both drugs and other approaches, she explains, clearly and gently, what help is available for someone who is diagnosed with dementia, and how to boost the chances of living well with the condition.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: The challenge of dementia 2: What causes dementia? 3: Beyond amyloid 4: Risk factors 5: Diagnosis and treatment 6: The future of dementia References Further reading Useful organisations and websites

Read more less

Book SynopsisA new computational and dimensional approach to understanding and classifying mental disorders: modeling key learning and decision-making mechanisms across different mental disorders.Even as researchers look for neurobiological correlates of mental disorders, many of these disorders are still classified solely according to the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Neurobiological findings rarely help diagnose a specific disease or predict its outcome. Although current diagnostic categories are questionable (sometimes labeling common states of human suffering as disorders), traditional neuroimaging approaches are not sophisticated enough to capture the neurobiological markers of mental disorder. In this book, Andreas Heinz proposes a computational and dimensional approach to understanding and classifying mental disorders: modeling key learning and decision-making mechanisms across different mental disorders. Such an approach focuses on the malleability and diversity of human beh

Read more less

Book SynopsisLegendary record producer-turned-brain scientist explains why you fall in love with music.'Extraordinary insights about music, emotion and the brain...An instant classic' Daniel Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain on MusicThis Is What It Sounds Like is a journey into the science and soul of music. It's also the story of a musical trailblazer who began as a humble audio tech in L.A. to become Prince's chief engineer for Purple Rain and one of the most successful female record producers of all time.Now an award-winning professor of cognitive neuroscience, Dr Susan Rogers takes readers behind the scenes of record-making and leads us to musical self-awareness. She explains that everyone possesses a unique 'listener profile', shows how being musical can mean actively listening, and encourages us to think about the records that define us. Lively and illuminating, this book will refresh your playlists, deepen your connection to artists, and change the way you listen to music.'Superb... this book can show you how to be a better listener' Times Literary Supplement 'A provocative blend of studio stories and fascinating neuroscience' Alan Light, author of Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain'Fizzing with energy and insight...a crucial addition to the canon of music must-reads' Kate HutchinsonTrade ReviewThis Is What It Sounds Like is a revelation... extraordinary insights about music, emotion, and the brain... An instant classic, [it] should be read by anyone who has ever been moved by a piece of music-in other words, everyone -- Dr. Daniel J. Levitin, New York Times bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized MindIf you've ever wondered why you love a song and what that says about you this book will help you understand why. Susan is one of the smartest people in the world of music and this book will help you hear music more deeply and more thoughtfully. You can tell why Prince loved working with her -- Touré, author of I Would Die 4 U: Why Prince Became an IconA deliciously nerdy resource for music lovers, and for anyone who thinks deeply about music and how it moves them -- Jessica Hopper, author of First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock CriticSusan Rogers found her superpower in the music world not as a musician, but as a master listener. Rogers' book is a gift to music listeners of all kinds - because in listening, we hear not only the music, we hear the sonic signature of our own soul -- Dan Charnas, New York Times bestselling author of Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented RhythmWhy do we like the music we like? With a provocative blend of studio stories and fascinating neuroscience, celebrated producer and engineer Susan Rogers sets out to answer this eternal mystery - and, along the way, just might turn you into a better listener -- Alan Light, music journalist and author of Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple RainA groundbreaking study of great intervention. The immense value of the insights into tastes, preferences, and aesthetics on offer cannot be underestimated. Beautifully written, this is the book that scholars and fans of popular music across all disciplines have impatiently waited for. It is truly inspiring, the kind of book you fall in love with, that gets us to reflect over how and why records become a condition of the heart -- Stan Hawkins, Professor of Musicology, University of OsloSusan Rogers is one of the greatest listeners and feelers of music... This Is What It Sounds Like is just like having a great conversation with her... she has opened my mind to how we hear music, and has once again inspired me as both listener and musician -- Steven Page, Barenaked LadiesAn essential music handbook - not only for its smart exploration of why we're drawn to different genres and styles but for its joyous celebration of the art of listening. Susan Rogers's words dance on the page with their sheer enthusiasm and eloquence. The way she illuminates what makes music so effective - from breaking down a Kanye West instrumental to the vocal skill of Frank Sinatra - will have you reconsidering songcraft and the way you process it. I wish I'd had a book like this when I was starting out as a music journalist. And, of course, I could read her personal stories about being in the studio with Prince forever. This Is What It Sounds Like is a triumph of the personal, technical and philosophical, fizzing with energy and insight, and a crucial addition to the canon of music must-reads -- Kate Hutchinson, journalist and broadcasterLike a therapist that untangled my musical relationships, Susan Rogers helped me understand my past and gave me a map to work out where I want to go next. I understood why I love the records I do and now I've got a map for my next treasure hunt -- Mobeen Azhar, award-winning journalist and filmmakerThe mysterious gravitational tractor beam of musical obsession that has directed my entire life has now been explained so eloquently by Susan Rogers. She has guided me on a righteous riff to the engine room of my own unique musical journey -- Craig Northey, musician and film and TV composerSusan Rogers is the only person who could have written this incredible book. Her passionate love of music, her vast experience creating history in the recording studio, and her deep knowledge about the subject helped me understand WHY I love the music in my life. She will open your ears and eyes in a way you won't expect. I cannot get this book out of my head -- Duane Tudahl, Author, Television ProducerSusan Rogers is unusually well qualified to investigate the mysterious, drug-like impact music has on the physical body and the emotional mind. ... Rogers' theories, both scientific and romantic, come as close to a breakthrough to anything I've read * The Big Issue *Rogers... is a superb listener... [and This Is What It Sounds Like] can show you how to be a better listener - and, perhaps more importantly, how listening, too, is an art and a fundamental part of the creative process * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCAN YOU BOOST YOUR IQ? WHAT IF YOU COULDN'T FORGET ANYTHING? WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR BRAIN WHEN YOU GET AN IDEA? COULD YOU BE A PSYCHOPATH? . . . NEW SCIENTIST HAS ALL THE ANSWERSFrom the strange ways to distort what we think of as 'reality' to the brain hacks that can improve memory, The Brain takes you on a journey through intelligence, memory, creativity, the unconscious and beyond to help you understand your brain - and show you what it's truly capable of.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"A NATURAL STORYTELLER" Mary Roach "BRILLIANT AND BEGUILING" Matthew Gavin Frank "CAPTIVATING ... WILL ALTER THE WAY YOU SEE AND MOVE THROUGH THE WORLD" M. R. O'Connor "AS ENTERTAINING AS IT IS ENLIGHTENING" Geographical Magazine, Book of the Month Within our heads, we carry around an infinite and endlessly unfolding map of the world. Navigation is one of the most ancient neural abilities we have - older even than language - and in Dark and Magical Places, Christopher Kemp embarks on a journey to discover the remarkable extent of what our minds can do. From the secrets of supernavigators to the strange, dreamlike environments inhabited by people with 'place blindness', he will explore the myriad ways in which we find our way. Kemp explains the cutting-edge neuroscience that is transforming our understanding of it - and tries to answer why, for a species with a highly-sophisticated internal navigation system that evolved over millions of years, do humans get lost such a lot? "I WAS THRILLED TO DISCOVER THIS BOOK" Robert MoorTrade ReviewChris Kemp may not be able to find his way out of a stairwell, but he has quickly and with no false turns made his way to the top of my list of favorite science writers ... A natural storyteller, a deft explainer, and a terrific and funny writer. -- Mary Roach, author of FUZZBrilliant and beguiling -- Matthew Gavin Frank, author of FLIGHT OF THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERSAs entertaining as it is enlightening -- Book of the Month * GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE *Captivating ... will alter the way you see and move through the world. -- M. R. O'Connor, author of WAYFINDINGAs a person who often finds myself lost in cities and forests alike, I was thrilled to discover this book, a dazzling-at times dizzying-exploration of brains and places, how they trouble one another and how they a give one another meaning. -- Robert Moor, bestselling author of ON TRAILSA fascinating and sneakily amusing book.... Christopher Kemp is an elegant and quick-witted writer who, feeling perpetually and hopelessly lost himself, is perfectly qualified to lead us through some of the most complicated and discombobulating corners of human cognition. -- John Mooallem, author of THIS IS CHANCE!A modern look inside the brain written as beautifully as a long-form poem. Don't miss this opportunity to let Kemp show you the how and why of where. -- David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, author of INCOGNITO and LIVEWIREDWith the exception of 'who am I?', there is no more fundamental human question than 'where am I?' Part of the thrill of reading Dark and Magical Places is the realization that, for scientists, this is still an open question. Too many attempts to explain neuroscience to a nonscientific audience treat the brain as a conquered frontier. With remarkable clarity and concision, Kemp takes us through the darkness, unraveling the magic of human navigation and orientation. This is a journey to the center of the mind led by a navigator who understands that the journey is as important as the destination. -- Greg Milner, author of PINPOINT

Read more less

Book SynopsisA stimulating account of interest to all students of neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology or biology — and of immense value to ‘first timers’ including undergraduates and A-level students. Written by one of the UK’s leading brain science experts, it traces the relationship between the ions, membranes and pumps of the brain and our thoughts, senses, feelings, impulses and consciousness. The book deals with such tantalising questions as: What are the ‘locks and keys’ of the brain? How does memory work and why do we forget? Why do we sleep, dream, and hopefully wake-up ready to go? How do fears, threats and nightmares penetrate our mental defences, or drugs, alcohol, psychedelics and medicines improve or hinder our thoughts, actions or behaviour? Are our eyes connected to the brain and why do we sometimes see things that aren’t there? Or hear ‘voices’? The book also explains how we can ‘see inside’ the brain, why we sometimes make a fool of ourselves, may have near death experiences and whether epilepsy is an ‘affliction of the Gods.’ Similarly what scientists know about the differences between delusion and schizophrenia; or the links between worry, anxiety, depression, mania and euphoria. It also covers obsession, stress and repetitive behaviour — just some of many topics dealt with within its revealing pages. An expert, scientific but simple guide.Table of ContentsThe Origins of Our Brains — Ions, Membranes and Pumps; Neurotransmitters and their Receptors — The Locks and Keys of Brain Function; The Tower of Complexity — How the Brain is Organized; The Vital Role of Subconscious Processing; How the Cortex Works — Seeing is Believing; Taking Control — From Urges to Self-discipline; Thinking, Feeling and Consciousness; The Emotional Brain; Getting Inside the Head — Surgery to Imaging Techniques; Sleep and Dreams; In Extremis — Near Death Experiences and Vegetative States; Affliction of the Gods? — Epilepsy; Darkness Visible? Depression; Why Worry? Fear and Anxiety Disorders; Delusional? Schizophrenia and Mania; Repetition, Obsession and Compulsion; From Pleasure to Pain? Addiction; Brain and Mind or Brain-v-Mind?; Selected Bibliography; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNeurowaves demonstrates how the brain’s inner time and its dynamics produce the mind and mental features like thoughts and feelings. Northoff proposes that the world is structured by waves of time, and the passing of these waves through our brains – neurowaves – is the basis of our mental experiences of the world.Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Brain’s Mental Surfing 3 1 Brain Time 12 2 From Brain Time to World Time 26 3 The Tango of Brain Time and Body Time 42 4 Self Time and Its Duration 58 5 Time Speed in Brain and Mind 74 6 Beyond Human Time 86 Coda: Copernican Revolution in Neuroscience and Philosophy 102 References 107 Index 117

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe polyvagal theory presented in client-friendly language.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy is it that the behaviour of teenagers can be so odd? As they grow older, young children steadily improve their sense of how to behave, and then all of a sudden, they can become totally uncommunicative, wildly emotional and completely unpredictable.We used to think that erratic teenage behaviour was due to a sudden surge in hormones, but modern neuroscience shows us that this isn't true. The Teenage Brain is a journey through the new discoveries that show us exactly what happens to the brain in this crucial period, how it dictates teenagers' behaviour, and how the experiences of our teenage years are what shape our attitudes, and often our happiness in later life.Many of our ideas about our growing brains are completely re-written. They don't stop developing at the end of our teens they keep adapting until we are in our mid-twenties. They are wired back to front, with the most important parts, the parts that we associate with good judgement, concentration, organization and emotionaTrade Review“Dr. Jensen uses her considerable expertise as a neuroscientist and a mother to explain the recent explosion of adolescent brain research and how this research can help us better understand and help young people. This book also highlights biologically inherent opportunities to enhance the health and well-being of young people during the second decade of life… opportunities we should not be missing.”— Carol A. Ford, M.D. President, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; Professor of Paediatrics, University of Pennsylvania; and Chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia “Jensen has brilliantly translated academic science and clinical studies into easily understandable chapters to highlight the many changes in connections and plasticity of the brain. The book is a ‘must read’ for parents, teachers, school nurses, and many others who live with or interact with teens. Understanding the susceptibility of the brain to drugs and stressors is not presented as an excuse but rather as a new framework for readers to approach parenting or teaching with more science and more evidence-based, practical advice.” — S. Jean Emans, MD. Chief, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Professor of Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner of the British Psychological Society Book Award for Popular PsychologyPsychologists have long been aware that most people tend to maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life. In fact, optimism may be crucial to our existence. Tali Sharot's original cognitive research demonstrates in surprising ways the biological basis for optimism. In this fascinating exploration, she takes an in-depth, clarifying look at how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how anticipation and dread affect us; and how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions.With its cutting-edge science and its wide-ranging and accessible narrative, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into how the workings of the brain create our hopes and dreams.Trade ReviewLucid, engaging and cutting-edge... a must-read for anyone interested in imagining the future. - David Eagleman, Neuroscientist and bestselling author of Sum and Incognito.An intelligent written look into why most people take an optimistic view on life...stimulating discussion...in easily understood language...fascinating trip into why we prefer to remain hopeful about our future and ourselves. * New York Journal of Books *Very enjoyable, highly original and packed with eye-opening insight, this is a beautifully written book that really brings psychology alive. - Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge University Professor and author of Zero Degrees of Empathy and The Science of Evil.If you read her story, you'll get a much better grip on how we function in it. I'm optimistic about that. * TIME *Her fascinating book offers compelling evidence for the neural basis of optimism and what it all means. * Scientific American Book Club *Lively, conversational...A well-told, heartening report from neuroscience's front lines. * Kirkus *A book I'd suggest to anyone. * Forbes *Read it and cheer. It's important to your longevity. * Examiner *Most readers will turn to the last page not only buoyed by hope but also aware of the sources and benefits of that hope. * Booklist *What a treat. A charming, engaging and accessible book written by a scientist who knows how to tell a story. - Richard Thaler, author of NudgeEngaging....Sharot studies optimisim as the neural level and knows her subject well. * The Psychiatrist *Fascinating... Even if you're a dedicated cynic, you might be surprised to learn that your brain is wearing rose-colored glasses, whether you like it or not. - NPRAn insightful, Oliver Sacks-y first book. - The Village VoiceOnce I started reading The Optimism Bias, I could not put it down. - Positive Psychology News DailyA fascinating yet accessible exploration of how and why our brains construct a positive outlook on life. - BrainPickings.orgFascinating and fun to read... Provides lucid accounts of [Sharot's] often ingenious experiments. - BBC Focus

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf you think baby brain is bad for you, think again - because neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay (author of The Women''s Brain Book) has looked at studies and talked to experts from all over the world and the proof is in: giving birth is one of the best things to ever happen to a woman''s brain.Moreover, the positive effects of baby brain last well beyond the baby stage - even into old age, with elderly mothers'' brains showing resilience to ageing. Plus, the benefits of baby brain show up for non-birth parents - even fatherhood has a profound effect on the hormones and brains of men.This fascinating book weaves together baby brain research and interviews with neuroscientists and women''s health specialists - many of whom are mothers - with personal experiences from parents concerning baby brain, nesting, maternal instinct, social support, anxiety and sleep. In each aspect the conclusion is clear: having a baby improves a mother''s memory, and makes her smarter and more empathetic, intuitive and socially savvy.Baby Brain contains the ultimate good-news story about mothers'' brains, backed up by scientific research from leading experts and presented in highly readable bite-sized sections by one of Australia''s leading science communicators.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen he was twenty-seven, Henry Molaison underwent surgery for his epilepsy. He awoke with part of his brain destroyed, and for the rest of his life would be trapped in the moment, unable to remember anything for more than a few seconds. For nearly five decades, distinguished neuroscientist Suzanne Corkin studied Molaison and oversaw his care. In Permanent Present Tense she tells his extraordinary story, showing how his amnesia revolutionized our understanding of the brain, and also challenged our very notions of who we are.Trade ReviewFascinating ... rich with implications for our understanding of the brain, our experience and what it means to be human -- Steven Pinker, author of 'How the Mind Works' and 'The Stuff of Thought'The poignant story of a man who became one of history's most studied patients -- John Carey * Sunday Times *In this fine and moving book, Corkin pays tribute to a much-missed friend, as well as offering lucid accounts of the neuropsychological discoveries he made possible -- Jonathan Rée * Guardian *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan you taste words, feel flavours as a shape, or hear colors? If so you may well have synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a ''merging of the senses''.This Very Short Introduction describes synaesthesia''s many forms, and delves into the underlying neuroscience. Explaining the scientific basis for synaesthesia, Julia Simner considers how we can measure the effects synaesthesia has on the everyday lives of people living with it. Exploring the fascinating stories of different synaesthetes'' experiences of the world, she also discusses the documented links between synaesthesia, childhood development, memory, personality, and artistic creativity, and the potential limitations synaesthesia might impose.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewCan reality be measurably different inside different heads? Synaesthesia teaches us that the answer is yes, and no one is better positioned than Simner to tell the story of this remarkable phenomenon. She and her colleagues have helmed the cutting edge of this research for decades, and she has now penned a wonderful book that deftly balances brevity with depth. * Dr David Eagleman, neuroscientist at Stanford University *Table of ContentsPreface 1: What is synaesthesia? 2: Synaesthesia in the brain 3: Synaesthesia and the arts 4: The ups and downs of synaesthesia: is it a 'gift' or a 'condition'? 5: Where does synaesthesia come from? The role of genetics and learning 6: The question of synaesthesia Conclusion Further reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPART OF THE ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES- What is pain and can we measure it?- What is chronic pain and can we treat it?- Can we make pain pleasant?UNDERSTAND the causes and the reasons for pain. This complex, subjective but vital perception is experienced by the entire animal kingdom. We may not enjoy feeling it, but living without pain would be dangerous - it is our body''s way of telling us when something isn''t right.YOUR BODY''S BUILT IN ALARM SYSTEMWritten by Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, Irene Tracey, PAIN is an accessible and fascinating illustrated introduction to one of our body''s most important sensory and emotional experiences.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNeurophysiology: A Conceptual Approach offers a refreshing alternative to âlearning by roteâ. Under new authorship, the sixth edition preserves the legacy of the original author, the late Roger Carpenter, retaining the concise approach and readable style so central to its predecessors. Integrating the disciplines of neurology and neuroscience with an emphasis on principles and functional concepts, this comprehensive textbook covers the entire subject of neurophysiology, from the conduction of nerve impulses to the higher functions of the brain, within a single accessible volume.Key Features: Everything the student of medicine or physiology needs to understand neurophysiology. Blends successfully the principles of neuroscience with clinical manifestations in line with modern undergraduate curriculums. Revised and updated, with a particular focus on proprioception, skin sense and hearing, including developments in cochlear implantsTrade Review'This book allows readers to craft a strong foundation of the principles of neurophysiology and rely upon this framework for lifelong application of this subject. [...] This edition is a worthy successor to its predecessors, and a commendable contribution to the neuroscience canon in its own right.' Lara Basovic, MD, Thomas Jefferson University, Doody Enterprises Table of ContentsPreface to the sixth edition. Preface to the fifth edition. Preface to the fourth edition. Preface to the third edition. Preface to the first and second editions. Neural mechanisms. The study of the brain. Communication within neurons. Communication between neurons. Sensory functions. Skin sense. Proprioception. Hearing. Vision. Smell and taste. Motor functions. Motor systems. Local motor control. The control of posture. Higher functions. Higher motor control. Associational cortex and memory. Motivation and the control of behaviour. Appendix: Techniques for studying the brain. Figure References. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Dynamic Self in Psychoanalysis builds a bridge between two different but intertwined disciplinesâpsychoanalysis and neuroscienceâby examining the Self and its dynamics at the psychological and neuronal level. Rosa Spagnolo and Georg Northoff seek continuity in the relationship between psychoanalysis and neuroscience, emphasizing how both inform psychotherapy and psychoanalytic treatment and exploring the transformations of the Self that occur during this work. Each chapter presents clinical examples which demonstrate the evolution of the spatiotemporal and affective dimensions of the Self in a variety of psychopathologies. Spagnolo and Northoff analyze the possible use of new neuroscientific findings to improve clinical treatment in psychodynamic therapy and present a spatio-temporal approach that has significant implications for the practice of psychotherapy and for future research.The Dynamic Self in Psychoanalysis will be of greaTrade Review"This book concerns a fundamental topic in mental science: the nature of the self. The authors bring an incredible range and depth of expertise to it. Spagnolo is a psychoanalyst and paediatric neurologist; Northoff is a neuroscientist, psychiatrist and philosopher. The result is an intellectual banquet of clinical descriptions, science and philosophy, with extremely rich theorizing."Mark Solms, Research Chair of the International Psychoanalytical Association, Co-Chair of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society"The case of psychoanalysis remains a puzzle. You can look at it as a form of treatment, or as a scientific approach to the study of the mind, or as a philosophical topic. But you always find the same mixed response: on the one hand, you encounter great success, a large following, and a multitude of sensation seekers; on the other hand, you find the critics and the controversy. The death of psychoanalysis has been announced and postponed but it never took place. Ironically, in spite of no death, there already is a revival of psychoanalysis. The branch of it that carries the day concerns the natural marriage of psychoanalysis and neuroscience which began with the work of Mark Solms and has only gained in strength. To this setting, come Rosa Spagnolo and Georg Northoff with a welcome addition to the pertinent literature. They aim at explaining each side of the partnership to the other side and their effort will reward the intellectually curious and the practical minded alike. I wish them great success."Antonio Damasio, author, The Strange Order of Things; Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology & Philosophy, and Director, Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA"Is it possible to build a bridge between two different, but intertwined, disciplines such as psychoanalysis and neuroscience? What is the glue that aligns together the different elements of this bridge? For Rosa Spagnolo and Georg Northoff, the Self, and its dynamic at psychological and neuronal level, might be the candidate.Several psychoanalysts like Jung, Kohut, Winnicott, Modell, Bromberg, and neuroscientists like Northoff, Panksepp, Damasio, Solms and Schore, just to name a few, tried to define the intrinsic sense of subjectivity that characterize our psyche. The Self is shaped by the alignment with the world where the intra/inter-psychic structure is nurtured by a good enough interaction with the animate environment. In this book, departing from the building blocks represented by time and space, moving through the relation with the body, the other, the world and finally to the dreams, the Self is disentangled in its own dynamic features. The continuous integration of the spatio-temporal approach with psychodynamic processes behind the transformation of the Self is highly innovative and sheds a novel perspective on the case histories reported.Wisely describing clinical experiences, The Dynamic Self aims at looking for the continuity in the relation between psychoanalysis and neuroscience, emphasizing how they might be two sides of a coin informing psychotherapy and psychoanalytic treatment. The spatio-temporal approach will have huge implications for psychotherapy and future research."Andrea Scalabrini, PhD, PsyD; Neuroscientist and Psychotherapist-Psychoanalyst; Post-doc researcher at University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, ItalyTable of ContentsINTRODUSING THE DYNAMIC SELF; 1: BUILDING UP TIME AND SPACE; 2: THE SELF AND THE OTHER; 3: THE SELF AND THE WORLD; 4: THE SELF BETWEEN ART AND MADNESS; 5: THE SELF INTO THE DREAMS; 6: DREAM EXPERIENCE OF THE SELF; PHILOSOPHICAL OUTLOOK: WORLD, TIME, AND SELF

Read more less

Book SynopsisCognitive Psychology: The Basics provides a compact introduction to the core topics in the field, discussing the science behind the everyday cognitive phenomena experienced by us all. The book considers laboratory and applied theory and research alongside technological developments to demonstrate how our understanding of the brain's role in cognition is improving all the time. Alongside coverage of traditional topics in the field, including attention and perception; learning and memory; thinking, problem-solving and decision-making; and language, the book also discusses developments in interrelated areas, such as neuroscience and computational cognitive science. New perspectives, including the contribution of evolutionary psychology to our understanding of cognition are also considered before a thoughtful discussion of future research directions. Using real-world examples throughout, the authors explain in an accessible and student-friendly manner the role our human Table of Contents1. What is Cognitive Psychology?2. Relationship between Brain Structure, Function and Cognitive Modelling3. Attention and Perception4. Memory and Learning5. Thinking: Decision-Making and Problem-Solving6. Language and Communication7. Consciousness and Metacognition8. Cognitive Neuropsychology9. Future Directions of Cognitive Psychology

Read more less

Book SynopsisContent and Consciousness is an original and ground-breaking attempt to elucidate a problem integral to the history of Western philosophical thought: the relationship of the mind and body. In this formative work, Dennett sought to develop a theory of the human mind and consciousness based on new and challenging advances in the field that came to be known as cognitive science. This important and illuminating work is widely-regarded as the book from which all of Dennett's future ideas developed. It is his first explosive rebuttal of Cartesian dualism and one of the founding texts of philosophy of mind.Trade Review‘It presents a compelling and sometimes profound conception of the subject; it is ambitious without being grandiose; it employs scientific information effectively and ingeniously; its style, moreover, is enviable clear witty, clear, fluent and relaxed. One rarely encounters a difficult work of technical philosophy that is such a pleasure to read.’ - Thomas Nagel, Journal of Philosophy‘Content and Consciousness is an extraordinarily interesting and original book, and one which will raise the level of current discussion in the philosophy of mind.’ - Richard Rorty, Philosophical Studies'I have certainly been greatly stimulated by reading the book, and I recommend it to all others who have an interest in the problems of mind and body and of physicalism and its alternatives.' - J.C.C. Smart, Mind'One rarely encounters a difficult work of technical philosophy that is such a pleasure to read.’ – Thomas Nagel, Journal of PhilosophyTable of ContentsPreface to the Routledge Classics Edition Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition Part 1: The Language of the Mind I. The Ontological Problem of the Mind 1. The Mind and Science 2. Existence and Identity II. Intentionality 3. The Problem of Intentionality 4. Two Blind Alleys 5. The Way Out III. Evolution of the Brain 6. The Intelligent Use of Information 7. The Evolution of Appropriate Structures 8. Goal-directed Behaviour IV. The Ascription of Content 9. Function and Content 10. Language and Content 11. Personal and Sub-Personal Levels and Explanation: Pain Part 2: Consciousness V. Introspective Certainty 12. The Certainty of Certain Utterances 13. A Perceiving Machine VI. Awareness and Consciousness 14. The Ordinary Words 15. Awareness and Control 16. Consciousness VII. Mental Imagery 17. The Name of Images and the Introspective Trap 18. Colours VIII Thinking and Reasoning 19. People and Processes 20. Reasons and Causes IX. Actions and Intentions 21. Intentional Actions 22. Willing 23. The Importance of Intentional Actions X. Language and Understanding 24. Knowing and Understanding 25. Language and Information 26. Conclusions Index

Read more less