Medical Neurobiology

by Peggy Mason, PhD

• ISBN13: 9780195339970
• ISBN10: 0195339975
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-05-19
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

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 specialities 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 Neurobiologyis 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 Neurobiologyteaches, explains and clarifies neurobiological concepts that will impact every health professional.

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