"Principles of Neural Science" offers a comprehensive description of how nerves, brain, and mind function, encompassing everything from molecules to cognitive processes. The book's central argument is that a complete understanding of neuroscience requires integrating knowledge across multiple levels of organization. It presents the current state of the field, updated extensively to incorporate the last decade's significant research and development.
The fifth edition serves as the definitive reference work in neuroscience, employing over 900 full-color illustrations to depict the complexities of the subject. Readers gain insight into the entirety of neuroscience, from its molecular underpinnings to its anatomical structures and systems, culminating in an understanding of cognitive function.
Key concepts
- Neuroscience — The scientific study of the nervous system, brain, and mind.
- Molecules to anatomic structures and systems to cognitive function — The hierarchical organization of the nervous system, from its fundamental components to its highest-level operations.
- Full-color illustrations — Visual aids used to explain complex neuroscientific concepts.
- New research and development in neuroscience — The ongoing advancements and discoveries in the field.
Popular questions readers ask
- Given the "tremendous amount of new research and development in neuroscience in the last decade," how would you explain why a foundational textbook like this requires such extensive updates rather than just minor revisions?
- How might the involvement of a Nobel laureate like Eric Kandel as lead author influence the perspective, depth, and overall authority of a comprehensive neuroscience textbook?
- If you had to summarize the current state of neuroscience as a scientific discipline, drawing only from the detail that this 1760-page reference needed a "complete update" reflecting a decade's new research, what would you emphasize about its dynamism?
- The text describes the book as covering everything "from molecules to anatomic structures and systems to cognitive function." How does the integration of a decade's worth of new research across such a vast scope impact our understanding of the connections between these different levels of neural organization?
- How might the "tremendous amount of new research" necessitate not just additions, but a re-evaluation or even fundamental shifts in understanding of previously established "principles" within neural science?