From Neuron to Brain: A Cellular and Molecular Approach to the Function of the Nervous System by Nicholls, John G. / Martin, A. Robert / Wallace, B Nicholls, John G. / Martin, A. Robert / Wallace, Bruce G. / Fuchs, Paul A.

Product Details

Synopsis

In the 25 years since From Neuron to Brain was first published, the authors' aim has remained constant–to describe how nerve cells go about their business of transmitting signals, how the signals are put together, and how, out of this integration, higher functions emerge. The new Fourth Edition, while maintaining this focus, has been completely reformatted and updated.

The emphasis, as before, is on experiments, and on the way they are carried out. Using a narrative approach, the authors follow a line from the original inception of a new idea to an account of research being done today. The wealth of new facts, techniques, and concepts, however, presented a challenge in keeping the book to a manageable size. Inevitably, the authors have had to delete descriptions of certain classical experiments.

Largely in response to readers' comments, elements of format and presentation have been changed for this new edition–more headings have been introduced, the paragraphs are shorter, and the illustrations, now in full color, have been clarified. As in previous editions, references are cited throughout the text, and appendices are provided to help readers unfamiliar with the nervous system deal with essential facts and definitions.

Intended for use in upper-level undergraduate, graduate, psychology, and medical school Neuroscience courses, From Neuron to Brain will be of interest to anyone, with or without a specialized background in biological sciences, who is curious about the workings of the nervous system. It presents a readable and coherent account of how cellular and molecular approaches can provide insights into the workings of the brain.

Annotation

"...presents a coherent description of the nervous system from the perspective of modern work on molecular biology, cellular & developmental biology, biophysics, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuroanatomy.

Booknews

A text for students without a specialized background in biological sciences. Describes how nerve cells transmit signals, how signals are put together, and how higher functions emerge from this integration. Emphasis is on experiments and the way they are carried out. Sections cover principles of signaling, signaling in the nervous system, integrative mechanisms, and development of the nervous system. This edition is somewhat condensed, and includes color illustrations. Nicholls is affiliated with the International School for Advanced Studies, Italy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Biography

John G. Nicholls is Professor of Biophysics at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste. He was born in London in 1929 and received a medical degree from Charing Cross Hospital and a PhD in physiology from the Department of Biophysics at University College London, where he did research under the direction of Sir Bernard Katz. He has worked at University College London, at Oxford, Harvard, Yale and Stanford Universities and at the Biocenter in Basel. With Stephen Kuffler, he made experiments on neuroglial cells and wrote the first edition of this book. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the Mexican Academy of Medicine and the recipient of the Venezuelan Order of Andres Bello. He has given laboratory and lecture courses in neurobiology at Woods Hole and Cold Spring Harbor, and in universities in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Venezuela. His work concerns regeneration of the nervous system after injury, which he studied first in an invertebrate, the leech, and recently in immature mammalian spinal cord.

A. Robert Martin is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was born in Saskatchewan in 1928 and majored in mathematics and physics at the University of Manitoba. He received a Ph.D. in Biophysics in 1955 from University College, London, where he worked on synaptic transmission in mammalian muscle under the direction of Sir Bernard Katz. From 1955 to 1957 he did postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Herbert Jasper at the Montreal Neurological Institute, studying the behavior of single cells in the motor cortex. He has taught at McGill University, the University of Utah, Yale University, and the University of Colorado Medical School, and has been a visiting professor at Monash University, Edinburgh University, and the Australian National University. His research has contributed to the understanding of synaptic transmission, including the mechanisms of transmitter release, electrical coupling at synapses, and properties of postsynaptic ion channels.

Bruce G. Wallace is Professor of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1947 and majored in biophysics at Amherst College. He received a Ph.D. in neurobiology in 1974 from Harvard University, where he worked with Edward Kravitz on transmitter biochemistry. From 1974 to 1977 he did postdoctoral research at Stanford University with John Nicholls, studying the function and regeneration of synapses in the leech nervous system. He has taught at Stanford and the University of Colorado Medical Schools. He is recognized for his research on the molecular mechanisms of synapse formation, including studies done in collaboration with U. J. McMahan that led to the identification of agrin and its role in regulating the differentiation of postsynaptic specializations.

Paul A. Fuchs is Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Professor of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1951 and majored in biology at Reed College. He received a Ph.D. in Neuro- and Biobehavioral Sciences in 1979 from Stanford University where he investigated presynaptic inhibition at the crayfish neuromuscular junction under the direction of Donald Kennedy and Peter Getting. From 1979 to 1981 he did postdoctoral research with John Nicholls at Stanford University, examining synapse formation by leech neurons. From 1981 to 1983 he studied the efferent inhibition of cochlear hair cells with Robert Fettiplace and Andrew Crawford at Cambridge University. He has taught at the University of Colorado and the Johns Hopkins University Medical Schools. His research has focused on the role of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels in cochlear hair cell function. This work has revealed details of functional differentiation, and identified a mechanism of cholinergic inhibition in hair cells.