Neuroscience

The adult brain produces new neurons. In an exceptional process of structural plasticity, resident stem cells lifelong generate new neurons in at least two brain regions, thereby providing a particular type of flexibility and adaptability. Adult neurogenesis is involved in learning and memory processes in the hippocampus and, if impaired, might contribute to a number of disorders, including major depression, schizophrenia and dementia. "Adult neurogenesis 2" comprehensively covers all aspects of this rapidly growing area of neuroscience with topics ranging from neural stem cell biology and neuronal development over particular aspects of neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the olfactory system, including its regulation and function, to questions of neurogenesis outside these two canonical neurogenic regions and evolutionary and -- importantly -- medical issues. ...Less

This atlas capitalises on novel diffusion MRI tractography methods to provide a comprehensive overview of connections derived from virtual in vivo tractography dissections of the human brain. ...Less

Autism is an emerging area of basic and clinical research, and has only recently been recognized as a major topic in biomedical research. Approximately 1 in 100 children are diagnosed as autistic, so it is also an intense growth area in behavioral and educational treatments. Financial resources have begun to be raised for more comprehensive research and an increasing number of scientists are becoming involved in autism research. In many respects, autism has become a model for conducting translational research on a psychiatric disorder. This text provides a summary of all current knowledge related to the behavioral, experiential, and biomedical features of the autism spectrum disorders including major behavioral and cognitive syndromology, common co-morbid conditions, neuropathology, neuroimmunology, and other neurological correlates such as seizures, allergy and immunology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and epidemiology. ...Less

Now in its second edition, Brain Architecture is the continued exploration of how the brain works. At the very core of our existence, the brain generates our thoughts and feelings, directs our voluntary interactions with the environment, and coordinates all of the vital functions within the body itself. This long-overdue new edition explains this oftentimes daunting intricacy and exquisite detail. The first half of the book discusses the basic parts and how they work, presenting an overview of the nervous system at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels. The approach follows three classic lines of thought that proceed from simple to complex: the history of neuroscience research, the evolution of the nervous system, and the embryological development of the vertebrate central and peripheral nervous systems. The second half of the book outlines the basic wiring diagram of the brain and nervous system—how the parts are interconnected and how they control behavior and the internal state of the body. This is done within the framework of a new four-system network model that greatly simplifies understanding the structure-function organization of the nervous system. Written in clear and sparkling prose, beautifully illustrated, and thoroughly updated, Brain Architecture, Second Edition is must-read for anyone interested in the science of how the brain works. ...Less

Since its initial development in the mid-1980s, and wide accessibility to perform diffusion MRI on all MRI scanners, the use of diffusion MRI has exploded. Nearly every MRI centre carries out diffusion MRI of some kind. Obtaining good quality diffusion MRI and making sound and robust inferences from the data is not trivial, however, and involves a long chain of events from ensuring that the hardware is performing optimally, the pulse sequence is carefully designed, the acquisition is optimal, the data quality is maximized while artifacts are minimized, the appropriate post-processing is used, and, where appropriate, the appropriate statistical testing is used, and the data are interpreted correctly. This book brings together most of the world's leading scientists and clinicians developing and applying diffusion MRI to produce an authorship list that reads like a “Who's Who” of the field and a definitive, didactic, and essential reference volume for those working with diffusion MRI. In assembling these topics this book carefully balances theoretical treatments with practical considerations. ...Less

Chronic back pain continues to be a major cause of distress, disability, work loss, and a huge cost to society. This resource examines the risk factors and mechanisms involved in the transition from acute to chronic back pain. It integrates genetic, biomechanical, neurobiological, psychophysiological, psychosocial, and socieconomic risk factors. ...Less

A major challenge in neuroscience is to synthesize data from many methods—experimental anatomy, physiology, behavior, pharmacology, and molecular biology, together with computational models—to obtain an integrated understanding of brain function. The organization of neurons into specific patterns carrying out specific functions is emerging as a main theme to accomplish this. The wiring diagrams for these patterns have been termed “brain microcircuits”. They are increasingly serving as canonical representations that are useful for several purposes: to enhance understanding of the basic functional organization of a region, focus experimental and theoretical tests of its functional properties, and facilitate comparisons of organizational principles between regions. The information upon which these microcircuits have been based has been widely dispersed in the literature. This book synthesizes this information for over forty motor, sensory, and central regions of the vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. In order to focus on principles, each chapter is brief, organized around up to three wiring diagrams of the key circuits, all using common conventions of representation. Several pages of text distil the functional significance of each microcircuit. ...Less

This textbook guides the medical student, regardless of background or intended specialty, through the anatomy and function of the human nervous system. In writing specifically for medical students, the author concentrates on the neural contributions to common diseases, whether neurological or not, and omits topics without clinical relevance. ...Less

Written and designed to provide comprehensive, easily accessible advice for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with this challenging condition, this resource addresses the entire care pathway from presentation to diagnosis to symptom management and end of life issues. ...Less

Multiple Sclerosis Care - A Practical Manual is a concise and easy to use reference source for all aspects of care in the management and understanding of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Teams of doctors, nurses, physio and occupational therapists, social workers and other care workers will find it an accessible, useful and handy resource. ...Less