Description
Book SynopsisMoses Chao argues that activity in the peripheral nervous system predicts the onset of neurological and psychiatric conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, autism, and dementia. Responsible for regulating a range of involuntary bodily processes and for detecting smells, sounds, and touch, the peripheral system may also be a key to better health.
Trade ReviewA sweeping tour…Chao proves to be a capable guide, and at many points it feels as if he is a personal mentor sitting at the front of a small classroom, expounding on his years of experience. -- Sara Manning Peskin * American Scientist *
[An] eye-opening debut…Chao makes a convincing case that scientists would do well to focus research on the [peripheral nervous system] and its relationship with disease. * Publishers Weekly *
An excellent guide to an important topic. The peripheral nervous system has long been seen as a second-class citizen with respect to the brain, but Chao shows that this is deeply misguided: without the periphery, the brain would be unable to sense the world, act in it, or even survive. -- Joseph E. LeDoux, author of
The Four Realms of Existence: A New Theory of Being HumanA long-awaited book, revealing just how deeply the brain is embedded in the body. By illuminating the neuronal and humoral systems that coordinate our physiology—both with and without the brain—Chao shows that the peripheral nervous system is not at all peripheral in terms of importance. -- György Buzsáki, author of
The Brain from Inside OutEngaging and well-written. Chao makes a compelling case for the role the peripheral nervous system plays in contributing to diseases that affect the central nervous system, delightfully weaving together historical accounts of neurological diseases with cutting-edge science. -- Ahmet Hoke, Director of the Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
