Minds behind the Brain : A History of the Pioneers and Their Discoveries

Minds behind the Brain : A History of the Pioneers and Their Discoveries PDF Author: Department of Psychology Washington University Stanley Finger Professor
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198024681
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
Attractively illustrated with over a hundred halftones and drawings, this volume presents a series of vibrant profiles that trace the evolution of our knowledge about the brain. Beginning almost 5000 years ago, with the ancient Egyptian study of "the marrow of the skull," Stanley Finger takes us on a fascinating journey from the classical world of Hippocrates, to the time of Descartes and the era of Broca and Ramon y Cajal, to modern researchers such as Sperry. Here is a truly remarkable cast of characters. We meet Galen, a man of titanic ego and abrasive disposition, whose teachings dominated medicine for a thousand years; Vesalius, a contemporary of Copernicus, who pushed our understanding of human anatomy to new heights; Otto Loewi, pioneer in neurotransmitters, who gave the Nazis his Nobel prize money and fled Austria for England; and Rita Levi-Montalcini, discoverer of nerve growth factor, who in war-torn Italy was forced to do her research in her bedroom. For each individual, Finger examines the philosophy, the tools, the books, and the ideas that brought new insights. Finger also looks at broader topics--how dependent are researchers on the work of others? What makes the time ripe for discovery? And what role does chance or serendipity play? And he includes many fascinating background figures as well, from Leonardo da Vinci and Emanuel Swedenborg to Karl August Weinhold--who claimed to have reanimated a dead cat by filling its skull with silver and zinc--and Mary Shelley, whose Frankenstein was inspired by such experiments. Wide ranging in scope, imbued with an infectious spirit of adventure, here are vivid portraits of giants in the field of neuroscience--remarkable individuals who found new ways to think about the machinery of the mind.

Minds behind the Brain : A History of the Pioneers and Their Discoveries

Minds behind the Brain : A History of the Pioneers and Their Discoveries PDF Author: Department of Psychology Washington University Stanley Finger Professor
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198024681
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

Get Book Here

Book Description
Attractively illustrated with over a hundred halftones and drawings, this volume presents a series of vibrant profiles that trace the evolution of our knowledge about the brain. Beginning almost 5000 years ago, with the ancient Egyptian study of "the marrow of the skull," Stanley Finger takes us on a fascinating journey from the classical world of Hippocrates, to the time of Descartes and the era of Broca and Ramon y Cajal, to modern researchers such as Sperry. Here is a truly remarkable cast of characters. We meet Galen, a man of titanic ego and abrasive disposition, whose teachings dominated medicine for a thousand years; Vesalius, a contemporary of Copernicus, who pushed our understanding of human anatomy to new heights; Otto Loewi, pioneer in neurotransmitters, who gave the Nazis his Nobel prize money and fled Austria for England; and Rita Levi-Montalcini, discoverer of nerve growth factor, who in war-torn Italy was forced to do her research in her bedroom. For each individual, Finger examines the philosophy, the tools, the books, and the ideas that brought new insights. Finger also looks at broader topics--how dependent are researchers on the work of others? What makes the time ripe for discovery? And what role does chance or serendipity play? And he includes many fascinating background figures as well, from Leonardo da Vinci and Emanuel Swedenborg to Karl August Weinhold--who claimed to have reanimated a dead cat by filling its skull with silver and zinc--and Mary Shelley, whose Frankenstein was inspired by such experiments. Wide ranging in scope, imbued with an infectious spirit of adventure, here are vivid portraits of giants in the field of neuroscience--remarkable individuals who found new ways to think about the machinery of the mind.

Minds Behind the Brain

Minds Behind the Brain PDF Author: Stanley Finger
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0195181824
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
Illustrated with over a hundred halftones and drawings, this volume presents a series of profiles that trace the evolution of our knowledge about the brain. Beginning with the ancient Egyptian study of the marrow of the skull, it takes us on a journey from the classical world of Hippocrates to modern researchers such as Sperry.

Origins of Neuroscience

Origins of Neuroscience PDF Author: Stanley Finger
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780195146943
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 484

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Book Description
With over 350 illustrations, this impressive volume traces the rich history of ideas about the functioning of the brain from its roots in the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, and Rome through the centuries into relatively modern times. In contrast to biographically oriented accounts, this book is unique in its emphasis on the functions of the brain and how they came to be associated with specific brain regions and systems. Among the topics explored are vision, hearing, pain, motor control, sleep, memory, speech, and various other facets of intellect. The emphasis throughout is on presenting material in a very readable way, while describing with scholarly acumen the historical evolution of the field in all its amazing wealth and detail. From the opening introductory chapters to the concluding look at treatments and therapies, this monumental work will captivate readers from cover to cover. It will be valued as both an historical reference and as an exciting tale of scientificdiscovery. It is bound to attract a wide readership among students and professionals in the neural sciences as well as general readers interested in the history of science and medicine.

Trepanation

Trepanation PDF Author: Robert Arnott
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0203970942
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 419

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Book Description
This volume will look at the history of trepanation, the identification of skulls, the tools used to make the cranial openings, and theories as to why trepanation might have been performed many thousands of years ago.

Great Myths of the Brain

Great Myths of the Brain PDF Author: Christian Jarrett
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118312708
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
Great Myths of the Brain introduces readers to the field of neuroscience by examining popular myths about the human brain. Explores commonly-held myths of the brain through the lens of scientific research, backing up claims with studies and other evidence from the literature Looks at enduring myths such as “Do we only use 10% of our brain?”, “Pregnant women lose their mind”, “Right-brained people are more creative” and many more. Delves into myths relating to specific brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, dementia, and others Written engagingly and accessibly for students and lay readers alike, providing a unique introduction to the study of the brain Teaches readers how to spot neuro hype and neuro-nonsense claims in the media

Brain Electricity

Brain Electricity PDF Author: Robert W. Baloh
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031629949
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description


The First Brain

The First Brain PDF Author: Oné R. Pagán
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199965048
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
"The First Brain is a discussion of how planarians have been used in neuropharmacology, and what role they have played in scientific developments that have a high impact on our culture. Planarians have been the animal models for research in drug addiction, antidepressant development, and various other topics in biology, neurobiology, and even zoology. Pagán uses these flatworms as a framework to explore the history of biological research. The book provides accessible background information on how biomedical research is impacted by evolution, and defines neurobiology and neuropharmacology in ways that are easy to understand. At the same time, Pagán provides enough detail for the book to useful for scientists working in various subsections of biology.

Early Experience, the Brain, and Consciousness

Early Experience, the Brain, and Consciousness PDF Author: Thomas C. Dalton
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1136677259
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
This new book examines the interrelationship between neuroscience and developmental science to help us understand how children differ in their capacity to benefit from their early motor and cognitive experiences. In so doing, it helps us better understand how experience affects brain growth and a childs capacity to learn. In this interdisciplinary

Neuroscience

Neuroscience PDF Author: J. F. Stein
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1861563892
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 502

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Book Description
This engaging book will serve as an introductory text in neuroscience. It conveys important ideas in neuroscience without overburdening the student with unnecessary detail. Drawing from his 35 years of teaching experience of teaching at Oxford University, the author concentrates on concepts and observations that students find difficult, amusing, interesting or exciting. Starting with a brief history of neuroscience, it covers cellular and biophysical aspects, sensory systems, motor systems, the hypothalamus, the automatic nervous system, learning and memory and speech and reading.

Taking Persons Seriously

Taking Persons Seriously PDF Author: Mihretu P. Guta
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666796468
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
This volume attempts to show why ontology matters for a proper grasp of issues in bioethics. Contemporary discussions on bioethics often focus on seeking solutions for a wide range of issues that revolve around persons. The issues in question are multi-layered, involving such diverse aspects as the metaphysical/ontological, personal, medical, moral, legal, cultural, social, political, religious, and environmental. In navigating through such a complex web of issues, it has been said that the central problems philosophers and bioethicists face are ethical in nature. In this regard, biomedical sciences and technological breakthroughs take a leading role in terms of shaping the sorts of questions that give rise to ethical problems. For example, is it ethical to keep terminally ill patients alive on dialysis machines or artificial ventilators? Is it ethical to take someone's vital organs upon death and transplant them into another person's body without any prior consent from the deceased person? Reproductive techniques also raise complicated ethical issues involving in vitro fertilization, contraceptives, prenatal testing, abortions, and genetic enhancements. Moreover, biomedical issues raise ethical problems regarding research on human subjects, stem cell research, and enhancement biotechnology. The beginning and end of life issues bring up their own complicated ethical conundrums involving, among other things, terminating life support and euthanasia. This book approaches such complex bioethical questions by engaging in ground-level debates about the ontology of persons. This is a nonnegotiable first step in taking steps forward in seeking a plausible solution(s) for the complex ethical problems in bioethics.