Synopses & Reviews
This single-author text introduces the student to the fundamentals of the nervous system as it relates to the practice of medicine and human health. The workings of the nervous system are communicated in easy to understand language. The text emphasizes the contribution of the nervous system to diverse and common medical disorders, some of which are primarily neurological in nature (stroke, Parkinson's disease, hearing loss) and many of which are the domain of non-neurological specialties such as ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat, cardiology, medicine and the like (myopia, hearing loss, hypertension, sleep apnea, and asthma).
The writing style is simple, clear and literary. Chapters can be read in a single sitting. Important concepts are presented both clearly and thoroughly, rendering this textbook appropriate for both the student who is learning about the nervous system for the first time and the student with previous knowledge of neurobiology.
Medical Neurobiology is wholly concentrated on the human nervous system. Subjects without clinical relevance such as invertebrate neurobiology, cat or leech locomotion, or sound localization are not covered. On the other hand, subjects with significant clinical relevance such as walking, making facial expressions, cranial nerve functions, breathing, hearing and seeing are covered in depth. In essence, rather than teach either basic neurobiology or neurology, this book aims to communicate the relevance of the nervous system to the practice of every medical specialty from cardiology to dermatology, neonatology, pediatrics, geriatrics, pulmonology, ophthalmology, and so on. Thus, Medical Neurobiology teaches, explains and clarifies neurobiological concepts that will impact every health professional.
Review
"Finally, a refreshing approach to the teaching of neurobiology to medical students! This book is comprehensive and stimulating: it provides an interesting approach, is well illustrated, and includes take-home messages for the students in the form of concise side-bars. This book will be invaluable in every medical specialty." -- Ben Barres, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
"As basic science information continues to increase and specialize, a number of U.S. medical schools are trying to find a solution of what is appropriate to teach students who are preparing for the practice of general medicine. Herein, a distinguished basic scientist and educator summarizes neuroscience for today's first year medical student. The attempt is to provide a current and accurate "big picture", without getting bogged down in minute details. This goal is beautifully attained, in a prose that is fun, with pertinent examples from everyday life. The book should satisfy the needs of the first year student admirably, while those who later become interested in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry or in basic neuroscience itself may go on to heftier tomes which deal more in depth and detail." -- W.Thomas Thach, Jr., MD, Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
"This is probably the most personally written textbook that I have ever read. Peggy's voice and her personal views are everywhere throughout the book, which I found refreshing and a welcome contrast to the written-by-committee tone that is so common in many texts...The extensive use of "Boxes" for clinical correlations throughout the text is a nice idea EL.In summary, Peggy Mason has written a unique textbook of neuroscience...most of the information in the book is quite appropriate for an integrated medical neuroscience course, as it presents basic neuroanatomical and neurophysiologal concepts and integrates them with neuropharmacological, clinical and behavioral subjects. I enjoyed reading the book."
-- Henry J. Peter Ralston, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy, W.M. Keck Foundation Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco CA
"Written by a gifted teacher-scientist and framed for relevance to medical clinical practice, Medical Neurobiology is a treat for anyone aiming to obtain a comprehensive introduction into the structure and function of the nervous system in health and disease. The text makes sense of our senses, explains perceiving and seeing the world around us, and enlightens the discrete choice of motor actions and basis of staying alive...Conceptually, the information is organized with a strong sense of hierarchy and superbly packaged into digestible units. In its final chapter, the work goes full circle, picking up on Jean Dominique Bauby's clinical presentation that was introduced in the first chapter, vividly illustrating to the student-learner the vast enrichment of knowledge that the reader obtained on the journey - a most rewarding voyage for anyone seeking to become a better clinician." -Christian S. Stohler, DMD, DrMedDent, Dean and Professor University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD
"Given that neurobiology and neuroanatomy can be daunting subjects for many
medical students and primary care physicians, this book provides a concise and
enjoyable introduction to neuroscience, and covers the necessary topics." -- Doody's
"Speaking as products of a 'modern'medical curriculum, featuring the 'Problem Based Learning (PBL)' approach, this text would seem to have great appeal for the medical undergraduate with an interest in neurology and for junior trainees keen to review this fascinating field of medicine... Highly recommended for the target readers, undergraduates and junior trainees."-- Graham Powell and Benedict Michael, University of Liverpool, Advances in Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation
"Perhaps the greatest strength of this book and, incidentally, the most enjoyable sections to read, are those where the newly acquired knowledge is applied to scenarios in clinical practice...Mason's book represents an excellent neurology review. Highly recommended for the target readers, undergraduates and junior trainees." -- Advances in Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation
"Mason's text succeeds in providing an answer to that age-old question asked by medical students on the first day of class "...is this relevant?" Yes, it is. As Mason demonstrates, it
is frequently neurobiology that brings patients to the clinician." -- The Psychologist
Review
Mentioned in the June 2013 American Medical Association Address of the Executive Vice President.
Synopsis
Medical Neurobiology introduces the student to the fundamentals of the nervous system as it relates to the practice of medicine and human health. The workings of the nervous system are communicated in easy-to-understand language and the text is full of everyday examples and analogies to clarify the concepts introduced. An ideal resource for both the student who is learning about the nervous system for the first time and the student with previous knowledge of neurobiology.
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About the Author
Peggy Mason was educated at Harvard (BA '83, PhD '87) and did postdoctoral work at the University of California-San Francisco. She has been on the faculty of the University of Chicago since 1992 where she has had the privilege of introducing first year medical students to neurobiology. She is now Professor of Neurobiology.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction
1. Introduction to the nervous system
2. Cells of the nervous system: neurons and glia
3. Developmental overview of neuroanatomy: the tube within the brain
Section 2: Neural communication
4. The neuron at rest
5. Electrical communication within a neuron
6. Neurotransmitter release
7. Synthesis, packaging and termination of neurotransmitters
8. Receiving the synaptic message
Section 3: Neuroanatomy
9. Spinal cord: conduit between body and brain
10. Cranial nerves: Brain sentries
11. Brainstem organization
12. Inside the brainstem: Cranial nerve nuclei and long-distance connections
13. Forebrain: Action, perception, emotion, thought
14. Following the nutrients: blood supply, blood-brain barrier, and ventricles
Section 4: Perception
15. Perceiving the world
16. Seeing the world
17. Audition: communication portal
18. Somatosensation: Focus on pain
19. The vestibular sense: balance and equilibrium
Section 5: Motor control
20. Motor control: From muscle contraction to action
21. The motor unit and orderly recruitment
22. Reflexes and gait
23. From movement to action: postural stability, orienting and praxis
24. Cerebellum
25. Basal ganglia: action selection
26. Gaze control
Section 6: Homeostasis
27. Homeostatic systems: Staying alive
Section 7: You and the brain
28. The brain in a physician's life
Index