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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughts for the day, May 9, 2008
This review is from: Cerebrum 2008: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science (Paperback)
The way cognitive studies are going, this book's subtitle: "Emerging Ideas in Brain Science" suggest it should be published on a continuous roll of paper. New ideas in neurosciences seem to be occurring on a monthly, if not a weekly basis. This noteworthy collection is indicative of the challenge readers face in the effort to maintain the pace set by research in this field. These sixteen timely and well-presented essays cover more than just the mechanics of the brain. There are some serious social issues to be considered relating to the brain's capabilities and limitations.
Editor Cynthia Read provides us with a collection of new considerations in what we would normally deem "brain science". These include an article delving into a basic of brain operations - the neurotransmitter dopamine and the basal ganglia. Those who expound on human "free will" have two opportunities to review the topic. One is a debate by Mark Hallett and Paul McHugh which raises once again the issue of "personal responsibility" and how we make even political decisions. Those seeking clinical studies related to these issues should peruse Michael Frank's article closely, as he explains how the "pleasure transmitter" can influence our behaviour - particularly the forming of habits and blockages to establishing new ones.
Another chemical messenger, glutamate, is described as "the major signalling chemical in nature". An amino acid, it is both highly useful and highly destructive if released in dangerous amounts after a brain injury as explained by Vivian Teichberg and Luba Vikhanski. Therapies for this condition are being studied through a new class of drugs known as "biologics". Their discovery and applications are explained by a trio of authors who note how these new drugs can block invaders at entry rather than treating the results. The brain is vulnerable to internal threats, as well, as Scott Edwards reveals. A form of erratic protein in the brain, prions, are difficult to deal with as they possess their own defence mechanism in changing shape. Since most medicines dealing with similar diseases have shapes to latch on to or destroy such threats, the prion's ability to shield receptors makes treatment a challenge. One which is still being defined.
The social issues dealing with new brain research are many and varied. The lead article in this series, by Kayt Sukel and Russell Epstein, explains how cognitive science and architecture can work together to provide assistance to Alzheimer's patients. David Drachman raises another, little considered, issue concerning Alzheimer's sufferers - when does the effect of a mental disability disallow such a victim their right to vote? Many US States have vague regulations on this matter, but there is neither uniformity nor recent brain research underpinning those statutes. Fabien Mackay examines the role of stress and how it affects brain chemistry.
This book is a fine collection of well-written and timely articles. The brain is only lately receiving the kind of consideration due its importance. This book raises many questions worthy of any reader's attention and interests. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughts for the day, October 12, 2008
The way cognitive studies are going, this book's subtitle: "Emerging Ideas in Brain Science" suggest it should be published on a continuous roll of paper. New ideas in neurosciences seem to be occurring on a monthly, if not a weekly basis. This noteworthy collection is indicative of the challenge readers face in the effort to maintain the pace set by research in this field. These sixteen timely and well-presented essays cover more than just the mechanics of the brain. There are some serious social issues to be considered relating to the brain's capabilities and limitations.
Editor Cynthia Read provides us with a collection of new considerations in what we would normally deem "brain science". These include an article delving into a basic of brain operations - the neurotransmitter dopamine and the basal ganglia. Those who expound on human "free will" have two opportunities to review the topic. One is a debate by Mark Hallett and Paul McHugh which raises once again the issue of "personal responsibility" and how we make even political decisions. Those seeking clinical studies related to these issues should peruse Michael Frank's article closely, as he explains how the "pleasure transmitter" can influence our behaviour - particularly the forming of habits and blockages to establishing new ones.
Another chemical messenger, glutamate, is described as "the major signalling chemical in nature". An amino acid, it is both highly useful and highly destructive if released in dangerous amounts after a brain injury as explained by Vivian Teichberg and Luba Vikhanski. Therapies for this condition are being studied through a new class of drugs known as "biologics". Their discovery and applications are explained by a trio of authors who note how these new drugs can block invaders at entry rather than treating the results. The brain is vulnerable to internal threats, as well, as Scott Edwards reveals. A form of erratic protein in the brain, prions, are difficult to deal with as they possess their own defence mechanism in changing shape. Since most medicines dealing with similar diseases have shapes to latch on to or destroy such threats, the prion's ability to shield receptors makes treatment a challenge. One which is still being defined.
The social issues dealing with new brain research are many and varied. The lead article in this series, by Kayt Sukel and Russell Epstein, explains how cognitive science and architecture can work together to provide assistance to Alzheimer's patients. David Drachman raises another, little considered, issue concerning Alzheimer's sufferers - when does the effect of a mental disability disallow such a victim their right to vote? Many US States have vague regulations on this matter, but there is neither uniformity nor recent brain research underpinning those statutes. Fabien Mackay examines the role of stress and how it affects brain chemistry.
This book is a fine collection of well-written and timely articles. The brain is only lately receiving the kind of consideration due its importance. This book raises many questions worthy of any reader's attention and interests. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully readable and understandable for anyone with a science education., March 19, 2009
This review is from: Cerebrum 2008: Emerging Ideas in Brain Science (Paperback)
Be prepared to learn more than you expected! This is a glimpse into the frontiers of brain science that will change your expectations of science and healthcare. The scientists who have contributed to this book are searching for and finding answers to questions that most doctors have yet to ask. After reading those chapters that interest you most you will start over and read it cover to cover.
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