Overview
Levitan, Irwin B.(Brandeis Univ); Kaczmarek, Leonard K.(Yale Univ)The book contains both black-and-white and two-color illustrations.
Synopsis
Clear and easy-to-read, this modern textbook of cellular and molecular neurobiology deals with synaptic function and plasticity, the reception and transduction of sensory stimuli, neuromodulation, neural networks, and learning and memory, among other topics. Ion channels are discussed in detail. The book is divided into three sections: Electrical Properties of Neurons, Intercellular Communication, and Behavior and Plasticity. The text is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of neuroscience and medicine.
Alexander Kolchinsky
This is the second edition of a textbook of neurobiology. It consists of 18 chapters divided into an introduction and three parts: electrical properties of neurons; intercellular communications between neurons; and higher level functions of neurons, plasticity, and behavior. It presents general concepts and describes crucial experiments and general experimental approaches. The book provides the background of neuroscience at the level of molecular and physiological properties of individual neurons. Admitting that this approach to neuroscience is close to reductionism, the authors justly state that this is the best route to understanding the more complicated issues. The textbook will be used by undergraduate and early graduate students beginning to take courses in neuroscience. It may also be used by physicians and even mature researchers as an introductory course and reference book. The book has attractive black and red layout, structured table of contents, and index. It is richly illustrated by schemes, graphs, and occasional electron micrographs. Many of these have exceptional educational value as visual support to any relevant teaching. All references to individual chapters are provided at the end of the book and are divided into recommended reading and references. The reason for this division is not clear, because both categories include a peculiar mix of recent reviews, various textbooks, and original papers sometimes going back to the 19th century and published in foreign languages. This is a remarkable textbook, a source of choice for teachers and students at the undergraduate and early graduate level. It presents the complicated field with such clarity that it is as muchfun to read as it was to write, according to the authors' preface.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc(Michigan Neurology Partners)Description: The development of current molecular biology and immunocytochemistry triggered the evolution of neurology and neurosurgery, as novel forms of therapy could be adapted based on the experimental findings. This book is a necessary and required update on the topic.
Purpose: The main purpose of this book is to address the developments in the study of molecular biology of cells and how extrinsic influences help in organizing activities in the central nervous system. These are worthy and important objectives in today's clinical practice and the authors fully meet their objectives.
Audience: The audience is primarily neuroscientists and neurologists who are interested in the applied physiology of the nervous system and are able to incorporate the information discussed in this book into the understanding of ailments of the nervous system. These readers will find this a useful reference. The authors are credible authorities in the field.
Features: "Throughout its pages, this book approaches neuroscience in a practical fashion, i.e., how can the modern understanding of neurophysiology, anatomy, and immunochemistry help in figuring out the etiology of diseases of the nervous system. Among the best aspects of the book is the constant interaction and reference to current issues in neurology. The pictures are well done and self explanatory. The references are up-to-date and provide a full view of the topics by experts in the field. "
Assessment: This is a necessary component of any neuroscience library. Both the text and the graphics provide enjoyable, informative, and up-to-date reading for neurologists and neuroscientists alike..
Alexander Kolchinsky
This is the second edition of a textbook of neurobiology. It consists of 18 chapters divided into an introduction and three parts: electrical properties of neurons; intercellular communications between neurons; and higher level functions of neurons, plasticity, and behavior. It presents general concepts and describes crucial experiments and general experimental approaches. The book provides the background of neuroscience at the level of molecular and physiological properties of individual neurons. Admitting that this approach to neuroscience is close to reductionism, the authors justly state that this is the best route to understanding the more complicated issues. The textbook will be used by undergraduate and early graduate students beginning to take courses in neuroscience. It may also be used by physicians and even mature researchers as an introductory course and reference book. The book has attractive black and red layout, structured table of contents, and index. It is richly illustrated by schemes, graphs, and occasional electron micrographs. Many of these have exceptional educational value as visual support to any relevant teaching. All references to individual chapters are provided at the end of the book and are divided into recommended reading and references. The reason for this division is not clear, because both categories include a peculiar mix of recent reviews, various textbooks, and original papers sometimes going back to the 19th century and published in foreign languages. This is a remarkable textbook, a source of choice for teachers and students at the undergraduate and early graduate level. It presents the complicated field with such clarity that it is as muchfun to read as it was to write, according to the authors' preface.4 Stars! from Doody