From Neurons to Neighborhoods

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Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309069882
Total Pages : 610 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis From Neurons to Neighborhoods by : National Research Council

Download or read book From Neurons to Neighborhoods written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2000-11-13 with total page 610 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

Discovering the Brain

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Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309045290
Total Pages : 195 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Discovering the Brain by : National Academy of Sciences

Download or read book Discovering the Brain written by National Academy of Sciences and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1992-01-01 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

Understanding The Brain And Its Development: A Chemical Approach

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Author :
Publisher : World Scientific Publishing Company
ISBN 13 : 9813103779
Total Pages : 407 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (131 download)

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Book Synopsis Understanding The Brain And Its Development: A Chemical Approach by : Harun K M Yusuf

Download or read book Understanding The Brain And Its Development: A Chemical Approach written by Harun K M Yusuf and published by World Scientific Publishing Company. This book was released on 1992-11-20 with total page 407 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The understanding of brain functions at the molecular level has been one of the greatest challenges for man. Up to now, the basis of its most important functions, including the development of consciousness and personality, and the mechanism of learning and memory, remains unknown. However, the pace of discovery at the morphological, cellular, neurophysiological and molecular levels of brain functions has been quite rapid in the past decades. Neuroscience has therefore been an over-advancing and extremely fascinating field of research which has made a significant contribution to our understanding of brain structure, chemistry and function. This book gives a concise synopsis of our present day knowledge of the basic chemical principles of how the brain works and how the brain develops. It is quite an intelligible approach to ordering the tremendous amount of knowledge accumulated so far in various research fields, particularly neurochemistry. Special emphasis has been given to the chemical language of many aspects of brain development as related to morphology and function. The final part is devoted to the plasticity of the brain and the impact of malnutrition and environment in early life on the development of mental functions. Particularly valuable are the many references to original literature, especially when controversial issues are discussed.The book is well written in an easily understandable manner and would be of great help to all students and scientists interested in the extensive and demanding field of neuroscience.

How People Learn

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Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309131979
Total Pages : 386 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis How People Learn by : National Research Council

Download or read book How People Learn written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2000-08-11 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methodsâ€"to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education.

The Neurobiology of Brain and Behavioral Development

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Author :
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 012804084X
Total Pages : 497 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis The Neurobiology of Brain and Behavioral Development by : Robbin Gibb

Download or read book The Neurobiology of Brain and Behavioral Development written by Robbin Gibb and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2017-10-23 with total page 497 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Neurobiology of Brain and Behavioral Development provides an overview of the process of brain development, including recent discoveries on how the brain develops. This book collates and integrates these findings, weaving the latest information with core information on the neurobiology of brain development. It focuses on cortical development, but also features discussions on how the other parts of the brain wire into the developing cerebral cortex. A systems approach is used to describe the anatomical underpinnings of behavioral development, connecting anatomical and molecular features of brain development with behavioral development.The disruptors of typical brain development are discussed in appropriate sections, as is the science of epigenetics that presents a novel and instructive approach on how experiences, both individual and intergenerational, can alter features of brain development. What distinguishes this book from others in the field is its focus on both molecular mechanisms and behavioral outcomes. This body of knowledge contributes to our understanding of the fundamentals of brain plasticity and metaplasticity, both of which are also showcased in this book. Provides an up-to-date overview of the process of brain development that is suitable for use as a university textbook at an early graduate or senior undergraduate level Breadth from molecular level (Chapters 5-7) to the behavioral/cognitive level (Chapters 8-12), beginning with Chapters 1-4 providing a historical context of the ideas Integrates the neurobiology of brain development and behavior, promoting the idea that animal models inform human development Presents an emphasis on the role of epigenetics and brain plasticity in brain development and behavior

Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 8)

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464804397
Total Pages : 502 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 8) by : Donald A. P. Bundy

Download or read book Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 8) written by Donald A. P. Bundy and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2017-11-20 with total page 502 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More children born today will survive to adulthood than at any time in history. It is now time to emphasize health and development in middle childhood and adolescence--developmental phases that are critical to health in adulthood and the next generation. Child and Adolescent Health and Development explores the benefits that accrue from sustained and targeted interventions across the first two decades of life. The volume outlines the investment case for effective, costed, and scalable interventions for low-resource settings, emphasizing the cross-sectoral role of education. This evidence base can guide policy makers in prioritizing actions to promote survival, health, cognition, and physical growth throughout childhood and adolescence.

Understanding the Brain and Its Development

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Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9789810204921
Total Pages : 400 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (49 download)

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Book Synopsis Understanding the Brain and Its Development by : Harun K. M. Yusuf

Download or read book Understanding the Brain and Its Development written by Harun K. M. Yusuf and published by . This book was released on 1992-11-01 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Mapping the Brain and Its Functions

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Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309044979
Total Pages : 180 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Mapping the Brain and Its Functions by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book Mapping the Brain and Its Functions written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1991-02-01 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Significant advances in brain research have been made, but investigators who face the resulting explosion of data need new methods to integrate the pieces of the "brain puzzle." Based on the expertise of more than 100 neuroscientists and computer specialists, this new volume examines how computer technology can meet that need. Featuring outstanding color photography, the book presents an overview of the complexity of brain research, which covers the spectrum from human behavior to genetic mechanisms. Advances in vision, substance abuse, pain, and schizophrenia are highlighted. The committee explores the potential benefits of computer graphics, database systems, and communications networks in neuroscience and reviews the available technology. Recommendations center on a proposed Brain Mapping Initiative, with an agenda for implementation and a look at issues such as privacy and accessibility.

Brain Architecture : Understanding the Basic Plan

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Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0198026463
Total Pages : 283 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (98 download)

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Book Synopsis Brain Architecture : Understanding the Basic Plan by : and Director NIBS Neuroscience Program University of Southern California Larry W. Swanson Milo Don and Lucille Appleman Professor of Biological Sciences

Download or read book Brain Architecture : Understanding the Basic Plan written by and Director NIBS Neuroscience Program University of Southern California Larry W. Swanson Milo Don and Lucille Appleman Professor of Biological Sciences and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2002-10-23 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Depending on your point of view the brain is an organ, a machine, a biological computer, or simply the most important component of the nervous system. How does it work as a whole? What are its major parts and how are they interconnected to generate thinking, feelings, and behavior? This book surveys 2,500 years of scientific thinking about these profoundly important questions from the perspective of fundamental architectural principles, and then proposes a new model for the basic plan of neural systems organization based on an explosion of structural data emerging from the neuroanatomy revolution of the 1970's. The importance of a balance between theoretical and experimental morphology is stressed throughout the book. Great advances in understanding the brain's basic plan have come especially from two traditional lines of biological thought-- evolution and embryology, because each begins with the simple and progresses to the more complex. Understanding the organization of brain circuits, which contain thousands of links or pathways, is much more difficult. It is argued here that a four-system network model can explain the structure-function organization of the brain. Possible relationships between neural networks and gene networks revealed by the human genome project are explored in the final chapter. The book is written in clear and sparkling prose, and it is profusely illustrated. It is designed to be read by anyone with an interest in the basic organization of the brain, from neuroscience to philosophy to computer science to molecular biology. It is suitable for use in neuroscience core courses because it presents basic principles of the structure of the nervous system in a systematic way.

The Myth of the First Three Years

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Publisher : Simon and Schuster
ISBN 13 : 1439118744
Total Pages : 365 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (391 download)

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Book Synopsis The Myth of the First Three Years by : John Bruer

Download or read book The Myth of the First Three Years written by John Bruer and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2010-05-11 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most parents today have accepted the message that the first three years of a baby's life determine whether or not the child will grow into a successful, thinking person. But is this powerful warning true? Do all the doors shut if baby's brain doesn't get just the right amount of stimulation during the first three years of life? Have discoveries from the new brain science really proved that parents are wholly responsible for their child's intellectual successes and failures alike? Are parents losing the "brain wars"? No, argues national expert John Bruer. In The Myth of the First Three Years he offers parents new hope by debunking our most popular beliefs about the all-or-nothing effects of early experience on a child's brain and development. Challenging the prevailing myth -- heralded by the national media, Head Start, and the White House -- that the most crucial brain development occurs between birth and age three, Bruer explains why relying on the zero to three standard threatens a child's mental and emotional well-being far more than missing a few sessions of toddler gymnastics. Too many parents, educators, and government funding agencies, he says, see these years as our main opportunity to shape a child's future. Bruer agrees that valid scientific studies do support the existence of critical periods in brain development, but he painstakingly shows that these same brain studies prove that learning and cognitive development occur throughout childhood and, indeed, one's entire life. Making hard science comprehensible for all readers, Bruer marshals the neurological and psychological evidence to show that children and adults have been hardwired for lifelong learning. Parents have been sold a bill of goods that is highly destructive because it overemphasizes infant and toddler nurturing to the detriment of long-term parental and educational responsibilities. The Myth of the First Three Years is a bold and controversial book because it urges parents and decision-makers alike to consider and debate for themselves the evidence for lifelong learning opportunities. But more than anything, this book spreads a message of hope: while there are no quick fixes, conscientious parents and committed educators can make a difference in every child's life, from infancy through childhood, and beyond.

Human Brain Function

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Publisher : Elsevier
ISBN 13 : 0080472958
Total Pages : 1161 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (84 download)

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Book Synopsis Human Brain Function by : Karl J. Friston

Download or read book Human Brain Function written by Karl J. Friston and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2004-01-26 with total page 1161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This updated second edition provides the state of the art perspective of the theory, practice and application of modern non-invasive imaging methods employed in exploring the structural and functional architecture of the normal and diseased human brain. Like the successful first edition, it is written by members of the Functional Imaging Laboratory - the Wellcome Trust funded London lab that has contributed much to the development of brain imaging methods and their application in the last decade. This book should excite and intrigue anyone interested in the new facts about the brain gained from neuroimaging and also those who wish to participate in this area of brain science. * Represents an almost entirely new book from 1st edition, covering the rapid advances in methods and in understanding of how human brains are organized* Reviews major advances in cognition, perception, emotion and action* Introduces novel experimental designs and analytical techniques made possible with fMRI, including event-related designs and non-linear analysis

How People Learn II

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Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309459672
Total Pages : 347 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (94 download)

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Book Synopsis How People Learn II by : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Download or read book How People Learn II written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2018-09-27 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are many reasons to be curious about the way people learn, and the past several decades have seen an explosion of research that has important implications for individual learning, schooling, workforce training, and policy. In 2000, How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition was published and its influence has been wide and deep. The report summarized insights on the nature of learning in school-aged children; described principles for the design of effective learning environments; and provided examples of how that could be implemented in the classroom. Since then, researchers have continued to investigate the nature of learning and have generated new findings related to the neurological processes involved in learning, individual and cultural variability related to learning, and educational technologies. In addition to expanding scientific understanding of the mechanisms of learning and how the brain adapts throughout the lifespan, there have been important discoveries about influences on learning, particularly sociocultural factors and the structure of learning environments. How People Learn II: Learners, Contexts, and Cultures provides a much-needed update incorporating insights gained from this research over the past decade. The book expands on the foundation laid out in the 2000 report and takes an in-depth look at the constellation of influences that affect individual learning. How People Learn II will become an indispensable resource to understand learning throughout the lifespan for educators of students and adults.

Everything You and Your Teachers Need to Know About the Learning Brain

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Author :
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
ISBN 13 : 2889660265
Total Pages : 191 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (896 download)

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Book Synopsis Everything You and Your Teachers Need to Know About the Learning Brain by : Sabine Peters

Download or read book Everything You and Your Teachers Need to Know About the Learning Brain written by Sabine Peters and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2020-12-08 with total page 191 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Children go to school to learn, and learning takes place in the brain. In the age period of formal schooling, a child’s brain is still undergoing major developmental changes. For these reasons, neuroscience (the study of the brain) and education are closely connected. Learning is possible because the brain is plastic: plasticity refers to the capacity of the brain to reorganize its structure and thereby change function and behavior. But what exactly changes in the brain when we learn something new? What are optimal conditions for the brain to learn? Why do we also forget things? What developmental changes occur in the brain during childhood and adolescence, and how are these processes different or similar to the neural mechanisms of learning and memory? Neuro-imaging research, or ‘brain scanning’, has accelerated our current understanding of brain development, learning, memory and other school-related skills such as reading and math but also creativity, metacognition and learning-related emotions and anxieties. But what do these brain scanning techniques actually measure? What kind of questions can we address with neuro-imaging, and what are the limitations? In this Collection, we will provide an accessible overview of the current state-of-the-art insights into the mechanisms of brain development, learning and memory. The collection will help children understand how their brains learn and develop, and how these processes are shaped by their environment and their own efforts. Moreover, we will discuss why it is important that their teachers and other educational practitioners know about the brain and neuroscience methods. Finally, we will also explain what happens if wrong ideas about the brain circulate, or the correct knowledge is misinterpreted. Neuromyths such as ‘we only use 10 percent of our brain’ are persistent, but important to counter with explaining why they are false, and what is true instead.

The Learning Brain

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Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN 13 : 0199917108
Total Pages : 196 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (999 download)

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Book Synopsis The Learning Brain by : Torkel Klingberg

Download or read book The Learning Brain written by Torkel Klingberg and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2013 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite all our highly publicized efforts to improve our schools, the United States is still falling behind. We recently ranked 15th in the world in reading, math, and science. Clearly, more needs to be done. In The Learning Brain, Torkel Klingberg urges us to use the insights of neuroscience to improve the education of our children. The key to improving education lies in understanding how the brain works: that is where learning takes place, after all. The book focuses in particular on working memory--our ability to concentrate and to keep relevant information in our head while ignoring distractions (a topic the author covered in The Overflowing Brain). Research shows enormous variation in working memory among children, with some ten-year-olds performing at the level of a fourteen-year old, others at that of a six-year old. More important, children with high working memory have better math and reading skills, while children with poor working memory consistently underperform. Interestingly, teachers tend to perceive children with poor working memory as dreamy or unfocused, not recognizing that these children have a memory problem. But what can we do for these children? For one, we can train working memory. The Learning Brain provides a variety of different techniques and scientific insights that may just teach us how to improve our children's working memory. Klingberg also discusses how stress can impair working memory (skydivers tested just before a jump showed a 30% drop in working memory) and how aerobic exercise can actually modify the brain's nerve cells and improve classroom performance. Torkel Klingberg is one of the world's leading cognitive neuroscientists, but in this book he wears his erudition lightly, writing with simplicity and good humor as he shows us how to give our children the best chance to learn and grow.

From Molecules to Minds

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Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309120926
Total Pages : 90 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis From Molecules to Minds by : Institute of Medicine

Download or read book From Molecules to Minds written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2008-12-07 with total page 90 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Neuroscience has made phenomenal advances over the past 50 years and the pace of discovery continues to accelerate. On June 25, 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders hosted more than 70 of the leading neuroscientists in the world, for a workshop titled "From Molecules to Minds: Challenges for the 21st Century." The objective of the workshop was to explore a set of common goals or "Grand Challenges" posed by participants that could inspire and rally both the scientific community and the public to consider the possibilities for neuroscience in the 21st century. The progress of the past in combination with new tools and techniques, such as neuroimaging and molecular biology, has positioned neuroscience on the cusp of even greater transformational progress in our understanding of the brain and how its inner workings result in mental activity. This workshop summary highlights the important issues and challenges facing the field of neuroscience as presented to those in attendance at the workshop, as well as the subsequent discussion that resulted. As a result, three overarching Grand Challenges emerged: How does the brain work and produce mental activity? How does physical activity in the brain give rise to thought, emotion, and behavior? How does the interplay of biology and experience shape our brains and make us who we are today? How do we keep our brains healthy? How do we protect, restore, or enhance the functioning of our brains as we age?

The Brain Book

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Author :
Publisher : Palgrave
ISBN 13 : 9781420256840
Total Pages : 352 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (568 download)

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Book Synopsis The Brain Book by : Ken Ashwell

Download or read book The Brain Book written by Ken Ashwell and published by Palgrave. This book was released on 2012-09-18 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Brain Book investigates the amazingly complex and intriguing structure that is the human brain. Made up of billions of nerve cells, the brain controls our thoughts, movements, behaviour and emotions. This comprehensive book explores such diverse topics as how we sense the world, consciousness and memory, through to diseases and disorders, the ageing brain and spinal injury repair. Containing the latest medical research, The Brain Book explains in concise, clear language important health issues such as the effects of recreational drugs and medicines on the brain, strokes, tumours and the biological basis of mental illness. Hundreds of colour images, including stunning 3-D illustrations created exclusively for this book, reveal the intricate workings of the brain to show incredible details beyond what the eye can usually see.

The Human Advantage

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Author :
Publisher : MIT Press
ISBN 13 : 0262333201
Total Pages : 271 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (623 download)

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Book Synopsis The Human Advantage by : Suzana Herculano-Houzel

Download or read book The Human Advantage written by Suzana Herculano-Houzel and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2016-03-18 with total page 271 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why our human brains are awesome, and how we left our cousins, the great apes, behind: a tale of neurons and calories, and cooking. Humans are awesome. Our brains are gigantic, seven times larger than they should be for the size of our bodies. The human brain uses 25% of all the energy the body requires each day. And it became enormous in a very short amount of time in evolution, allowing us to leave our cousins, the great apes, behind. So the human brain is special, right? Wrong, according to Suzana Herculano-Houzel. Humans have developed cognitive abilities that outstrip those of all other animals, but not because we are evolutionary outliers. The human brain was not singled out to become amazing in its own exclusive way, and it never stopped being a primate brain. If we are not an exception to the rules of evolution, then what is the source of the human advantage? Herculano-Houzel shows that it is not the size of our brain that matters but the fact that we have more neurons in the cerebral cortex than any other animal, thanks to our ancestors' invention, some 1.5 million years ago, of a more efficient way to obtain calories: cooking. Because we are primates, ingesting more calories in less time made possible the rapid acquisition of a huge number of neurons in the still fairly small cerebral cortex—the part of the brain responsible for finding patterns, reasoning, developing technology, and passing it on through culture. Herculano-Houzel shows us how she came to these conclusions—making “brain soup” to determine the number of neurons in the brain, for example, and bringing animal brains in a suitcase through customs. The Human Advantage is an engaging and original look at how we became remarkable without ever being special.