Customer Reviews

The Other Brain: From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries about the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science

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"The Other Brain", written by R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D., is a must read for anyone interested in the scientific basis of higher brain functions. Virtually every educated person knows that brain function is the result of brain cells called neurons. Wrong! Neurons comprise only 10% of brain cells. The majority of other cells in the brain are collectively known as glia. These comprise about 5 distinct groups of brain cells. Research over the past 30 years has shown that these cells are equal partners in cognitive information processing, and may be more important than neurons. In fact, they may actually be directing the networks of neurons that have been considered the basis of intelligence, memory formation and consciousness for over a century.

Additionally, these cells are now considered leading candidates for both the cause and potential treatments of neurological diseases including Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, ALS, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. The use of glia as stem cells in treatment of these conditions, as well as strokes and brain tumors, is currently a hot topic of research. Dr. Fields, Chief of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is preeminently qualified to write about this topic. His life-long research on glia has provided important clues that may eventually lead to treatment or cures for paralysis resulting from spinal cord trauma.

Fields is a consummate storyteller, and has been referred to as "our neural Jacques Cousteau" because of his ability to transform such a difficult subject into an enjoyable and accessible writing style. Most notable is his intermix of vignettes of the life of men who have worked with glia within the body of the text. This includes some of the most exotic and eccentric characters imaginable.

Particularly enjoyable was the brilliant explorer and scientific polyglot Fridtjof Nansen who first proposed in the nineteenth century that glia were involved in higher cognitive functions. He also mapped ocean currents and received the Nobel Peace Prize. Also notable is the driven and hyper-focused pediatrician Carleton Gajdusek who left a comfortable life in research on infantile paralysis to impulsively travel to New Guinea to live with cannibals for several years to study kuru (similar to Mad Cow Disease). He may be the only Nobel Laureate in Medicine to serve time in prison after receiving this prestigious award. Ichiji Tasaki was given laboratory space at the National Institutes of Health until his recent death at the age of 100. He initially built his own equiptment by hand because his research had outpaced the available technology. The significance of his lifelong research continues to influence gliobiologist to this day.

I have read most of the popular text on brain function written by Nobel Laureates, prominent neuroscientists, philosophers, linguist and "science writers". None can match "The Other Brain" as far as thoroughness of scientific facts and ease or reading. It is a real "page turner". It is the only book on brain function that I could not put down until completed. Until you read this remarkable book about glia, "the other half of the brain", your knowledge of brain function is far from complete.

I throughly enjoy reading and studying all of the articles written by the author of this book in Scientific American and other publications. His fascinating articles in Scientific American on glial cells and white matter is was compelled me to read this outstanding book. I was sad when I finished the book, wanting to learn more hoping that there was at least one more chapter left.

After reading and studying this book, I am more easily able to read, understand and appreciate articles about glial cells in heavier publications like Science. This is not a particularly easy read, but accessible to anyone willing to put a lot of thought into the material which brings me to another point. I wish the author would have incorporated more figures and diagrams into the text instead of just splatting a number of photos and diagrams into the center of the book. All of the diagrams are explained very well, but I would have liked to have seen them more closely tied into the text instead of having to turn the pages back and forth. Many of the pictures he has are taken from Science and Scientific American magazine. Figure 26 (the electron microscope picture) for example is also used in Vol. 298 October 2002 of Science. The other diagram used in the same article in Science is curiously missing from this book. If he would have included that cartoon-like diagram shown in the Science article, it would have done a great deal of good in explaining things like gap junctions, calcium waves, glutamate uptake and release and glial communication using ATP and other molecules. That diagram would have been perfect in the part where he started explaining what astrocyes do. Still, this doesn't take anything away from the book. I'm looking forward to whatever articles or books the author writes in the future on this fascinating subject!

From the history of Einstein's stolen brain to the very end I was thrilled. Not only is this exciting storytelling but it is a fast paced narrative about the incredible discoveries made about the human brain just in the last decade...discoveries that change everything. And the people involved are just as excited including Dr. Fields. He not only tells amazing scientific advances in real terms, he helps the novice follow along. I am a 60 year old retired grocery store manager and even I got it...now there is a testimonial! Among the "stunning" I was most amazed to discover that the human brain is completed back to front and is not finished for approx two decades after birth. Can we say teenagers! All other mammals are born with completed brains and not allowed the opportunity to let their environment influence brain development. As Dr. Fields says, "We are allowed to cheat in evolution's battle for food and reproduction. Buy this one!

This is an outstanding book! Written by an internationally recognized authority with an impressive background in Neuroscience, Dr. Fields cleverly holds us spellbound with interest as he takes the reader through a remarkable story of "Glia" cells that science has largely overlooked till recently.

The book reads like a novel that pulls you onward, wondering what is next and gives us hope for new science that may save us in the future from diseases we cannot conquer at present.

I agree with previous comments from other readers who also gave this book five stars. You owe it to yourself to read and enjoy this book.

Excellent book. Well written. Descriptions of latests neurobiological techniques - clear, interesting and helpful. Wonderful stories of discoverers as well as discoveries, especially where Dr. Fields gives the human side and personal information, not reported elsewhere - like the identity and fate of H.M.
The information on schizophrenia and depression a little weak, but still a tremendously helpful book for mental health practicioners.

This is an excellent book for teachers to read. If you are a science teacher there is all sorts of insights into the biology of the brain and learning. In addition, interesting historical information is there about many of the famous names in science and what happened to them after their amazing breakthroughs. Also included are interesting dramas and arguements. A great read!

R. Douglas Fields' "The Other Brain" is an interesting book and a book that I would recommend for any curious minds. Personally, I have never heard of glia before picking up this book at the local bookstore, just out of curiosity. Only neurons have been given a greater attention, but now so should glia as it plays a strong and important role in our brain capabilities and growth. Glia makes up "approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain," which is an important enough for any scientist to study into and in depth.

Fields has provided a novel way to grab the readers' attention throughout his book and continues to fuel our curiosity and to build our knowledge of neuroscience. This book is, in my opinion, a must read.

"The Other Brain makes an excellent case that neuroscience can't remain neuron-science if it hopes to answer the big questions. It's certainly opened my eyes to the importance of glia and given me ideas for my own research. As such it's one of those rare popular science books that will prove interesting to professionals and others too."

I picked up this book for two reasons, 1. I've always been interested in the subject of neuroscience vs neural plasticity and 2. 'The Other Brain' was featured in Seed Magazine and reviewed as an intriguing read for the general audience.
I was amazed how well the book was written and how comprehendible the context was. My professional background is in fashion design, which as far as you can get form neuroscience. The book enlightened my understanding of brain functions as well as the level of advancement in the field.
Glad to have read this book and await more form the author!

I enjoy reading about science for the general reader. But this book was too technical for me. The writing is clear, and the author includes anecdotes and human interest as much as possible. But the topic he is writing about is very detailed and technical, about the molecular level of brain chemistry, and it was more biology than I was able to get through. I read each chapter, but skimmed when it got to the actual medical details.