Observed Brain Dynamics
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Overview
The biomedical sciences have recently undergone revolutionary change, due to the ability to digitize and store large data sets. In neuroscience, the data sources include measurements of neural activity measured using electrode arrays, EEG and MEG, brain imaging data from PET, fMRI, and optical imaging methods. Analysis, visualization, and management of these time series data sets is a growing field of research that has become increasingly important both for experimentalists and theorists interested in brain function. Written by investigators who have played an important role in developing the subject and in its pedagogical exposition, the current volume addresses the need for a textbook in this interdisciplinary area.
The book is written for a broad spectrum of readers ranging from physical scientists, mathematicians, and statisticians wishing to educate themselves about neuroscience, to biologists who would like to learn time series analysis methods in particular and refresh their mathematical and statistical knowledge in general, through self-pedagogy. It may also be used as a supplement for a quantitative course in neurobiology or as a textbook for instruction on neural signal processing.
The first part of the book contains a set of essays meant to provide conceptual background which are not technical and shall be generally accessible. Salient features include the adoption of an active perspective of the nervous system, an emphasis on function, and a brief survey of different theoretical accounts in neuroscience. The second part is the longest in the book, and contains a refresher course in mathematics and statistics leading up to time series analysis techniques. The third part contains applications of data analysis techniques to the range of data sources indicated above (also available as part of the Chronux data analysis platform from http://chronux.org), and the fourth part contains special topics.
Synopsis
The biomedical sciences have recently undergone revolutionary change, due to the ability to digitize and store large data sets. In neuroscience, the data sources include measurements of neural activity measured using electrode arrays, EEG and MEG, brain imaging data from PET, fMRI, and optical imaging methods. Analysis, visualization, and management of these time series data sets is a growing field of research that has become increasingly important both for experimentalists and theorists interested in brain function. Written by investigators who have played an important role in developing the subject and in its pedagogical exposition, the current volume addresses the need for a textbook in this interdisciplinary area.
The book is written for a broad spectrum of readers ranging from physical scientists, mathematicians, and statisticians wishing to educate themselves about neuroscience, to biologists who would like to learn time series analysis methods in particular and refresh their mathematical and statistical knowledge in general, through self-pedagogy. It may also be used as a supplement for a quantitative course in neurobiology or as a textbook for instruction on neural signal processing.
The first part of the book contains a set of essays meant to provide conceptual background which are not technical and shall be generally accessible. Salient features include the adoption of an active perspective of the nervous system, an emphasis on function, and a brief survey of different theoretical accounts in neuroscience. The second part is the longest in the book, and contains a refresher course in mathematics and statistics leading up to time series analysis techniques. The third part contains applications of data analysis techniques to the range of data sources indicated above (also available as part of the Chronux data analysis platform from http://chronux.org), and the fourth part contains special topics.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Celso Agner, MD, MSc(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description:Despite continuous evolution in the neurosciences, quantification of neuronal activity has been a persistent challenge. This book addresses current mathematical and engineering methods of quantifying cerebral activity and predicting specific behaviors.
Purpose:The purpose is to dissect mathematical methods of neuronal activity quantification.
Audience:Mathematicians and behavioral neurologists are the main audience for this book. In my perspective, the title is suggestive but does not necessarily address the topic's importance and the idea behind quantification of cerebral activity. Dr. Mitra, a well known authority in the field, has worked for over 10 years in this area. He and his coauthor wrote the 14 chapters.
Features:The initial section deals with the basics, including the reason for studying brain dynamics, as well as current mathematical and engineering theories governing this area. Despite the topic's complexity, the authors are able to explain the theories in an accessible manner. However, the chapter sequence could be slightly changed, since additional topics should be included in the first section and the last section should be on radiological and clinical applications. In addition, there should be a better physics-clinical correlation to determine the appropriate translation to practical grounds.
Assessment:Overall this is a good book, well written and full of good illustrations and updated references. It should be readily accessible to behavioral neurologists, bioengineers, and biomathematicians.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc(Michigan Neurology Partners)Description: Despite continuous evolution in the neurosciences, quantification of neuronal activity has been a persistent challenge. This book addresses current mathematical and engineering methods of quantifying cerebral activity and predicting specific behaviors.
Purpose: The purpose is to dissect mathematical methods of neuronal activity quantification.
Audience: Mathematicians and behavioral neurologists are the main audience for this book. In my perspective, the title is suggestive but does not necessarily address the topic's importance and the idea behind quantification of cerebral activity. Dr. Mitra, a well known authority in the field, has worked for over 10 years in this area. He and his coauthor wrote the 14 chapters.
Features: The initial section deals with the basics, including the reason for studying brain dynamics, as well as current mathematical and engineering theories governing this area. Despite the topic's complexity, the authors are able to explain the theories in an accessible manner. However, the chapter sequence could be slightly changed, since additional topics should be included in the first section and the last section should be on radiological and clinical applications. In addition, there should be a better physics-clinical correlation to determine the appropriate translation to practical grounds.
Assessment: Overall this is a good book, well written and full of good illustrations and updated references. It should be readily accessible to behavioral neurologists, bioengineers, and biomathematicians.
From the Publisher
"Well written and full of good illustrations and updated references. It should be readily accessible to behavioral neurologists, bioengineers, and biomathematicians."--Doody's