Neurobiology [Paperback]

Gordon M. Shepherd (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195088433 | ISBN-13: 978-0195088434 | Publication Date: May 5, 1994 | Edition: 3

This widely used and highly praised textbook has been extensively revised to reflect the most exciting research across the entire range of neuroscience. A new feature is an introductory discussion of the mechanisms of gene regulation, while the superfamily of molecules responsible for membrane signaling is given new emphasis as a unifying theme throughout molecular and cellular neurobiology. The roles of these molecules in impulse conduction and synaptic transmission are fully explained, and illustrated by computer models. For the first time in a neurobiology text, these mechanisms can be explored by using a state-of-the-art interactive computer program provided with an accompanying tutorial handbook. In the sections dealing with neural systems, the comparative approach continues to be used to illustrate general principles. Students learn about the progress being made toward a molecular basis for sensory perception and new methods for revealing the neural activity underlying sensory and motor functions are described. There is an emphasis on the plasticity of both sensory and the motor circuits in mediating functions that reflect the effects of activity or recovery from injury. Central systems continue to be featured as the culmination of neural evolution. These include the systems vital for all animals, such as sleeping, feeding and reproduction, as well as the systems for language, emotion and higher cognitive functions that reach their peak in humans. There is special emphasis on recent work on memory, contrasting the mechanisms for short-term working memory and long-term memory and summarizing the present understanding of the mechanisms of long-term potential. The twin themes of organizational levels and comparative systems help bring together the vast range of studies and provides a conceptual framework that unifies the field of neurobiology. As in previous editions, the text continues to draw on the advantages of having a single author. In addition, leaders in a number of specialties have assisted the author, so that the text represents the most up-to-date views of current research on the nervous system.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Very impressive; clear writing and a well-rounded overview of modern neurobiology."--Dr. Duane McPherson, SUNY Geneseo

"The author succeeded in performing what seemed to be an almost impossible mission: writing a comprehensive, updated and well-written textbook of neurobiology within reasonable spatial constraints....[An] especially attractive feature of this book is the delightful style of writing which makes reading a real pleasure....I strongly recommend this book as a textbook for undergraduate and medical students, or as a general reference book for neurobiology...it is far superior to other textbooks of its kind."--Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology

"An excellent text for use in introductory Neuroscience courses for graduate students. It is well written, with very good illustrations, and covers the broad area of neurobiology."--Greg Maguire, University of Texas Medical School

From reviews of previous editions: "It is easy to be enthusiastic about this superb volume. It should become the required text for all first-year medical students and all graduate students in the neurosciences." --Journal of the American Medical Association

"Although there has been an explosive increase in factual information about the nervous system in the past decade, an integrated conceptual approach to understanding its workings has been sorely lacking, especially in introductory textbooks. This handsome book is the most lucid and comprehensive available to fill this void." --New England Journal of Medicine

About the Author

Gordon M. Shepherd is Professor of Neuroscience at Yale University. He is the author of The Synaptic Organization of the Brain (Oxford University Press, 1979).

Product Details

• Paperback: 784 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (May 5, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195088433
• ISBN-13: 978-0195088434
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A self-contained introductory book in neurobiology., November 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Neurobiology (Paperback)

Clearly superior to most of its competitors, this book will serve as a basic introductory text for medical students, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students in the biomedical sciences.

Shepherd does a wonderful job in explaining core concepts in neuroscience, ranging from the cell, to brain systems, to behavior.

Many of the chapters, especially in molecular and cellular neurobiology, will clarify certain 'dark' concepts, essential not only for neuroscience, but for physiology, pharmacology and immunology as well.

This should be one of the standard texts for every student interested in the nervous system, and in integrative science in general.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE THIRD EDITION OF A LEADING INTRODUCTORY TEXTBOOK, September 15, 2010

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Neurobiology (Paperback)

Gordon Shepherd is a Yale University professor of neuroscience and neurobiology.

He states in the Preface to this 1994 edition, "The primary aim of this book continues to be to make this vast and expanding world of knowledge intelligible to students by presenting a unified view of the principles of nervous organization... This edition emphasizes two of the major themes in current neurobiology, the roles of synapses and of active membrane properties in shaping the input-output functions of neurons and neural networks... A second new area of emphasis is development. Increasingly the analysis of nervous organization is focusing on how it arises as development proceeds... (T)his edition attempts to 'see the brain steadily and see it whole,' with a comprehensive coverage of brain functions that includes material both for the introductory and the more advanced student."

Here are some representative quotations from the book:

"Much the same applies to the experiments we do in biology: we can begin to believe in results only if we have an adequate grasp of the theories that seek to explain the nature of the systems we study." (Pg. 67)
"However, the enthusiasm of neuroscientists for this task must always be tempered by the reminder that identifying the neural basis for a specific behavior is one of the most difficult challenges in all biology." (Pg. 515)
"The neurobiological study of these types of emotions has been rather limited. On the one hand, most complex behaviors are simply too complex to analyze, particularly when their emotional component is not obvious." (603-604)
"When you converse with someone, you are using working memory to hold 'on line' the other person's speech in segments of several seconds to scan the words and obtain their meaning, while continuing to receive the next segment of words for subsequent scanning. Some feel that this close association of working memory and language may come the closest to defining the special basis for human intelligence." (Pg. 677)
"(I)t further appears that the right hemisphere is specialized for handling procedural information, and the left hemisphere for declarative information. No matter now one characterizes the two hemispheres it is important to realize that neither one is 'dominant' in the absolute sense; each constellation of functions is of adaptive value, and the human brain attempts to optimize both by letting the hemispheres specialize in these two directions." (Pg. 679)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro neuro book., April 14, 2010

By 

L. Smith (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Neurobiology (Paperback)

This is a great intro neuroscience book.

I bought it to help give me some background when I joined a neuroscience lab as an undergrad. I have never taken a pure neuroscience class so this book helped tremendously in building my foundation for more advanced topics.

This book is not exhaustive by any means and is heading towards the out-of-date side given of the advancements in the field to date. Probably great for an undergrad or beginning grad student.