John R. Smythies - Böcker

The present day is witnessing an explosion of our understanding of how the brain works at all levels, in which complexity is piled on complexity, and mechanisms of astonishing elegance are being continually discovered. This process is most developed in the major areas of the brain, such as the cortex, thalamus, and striatum. The Claustrum instead focuses on a small, remote, and, until recently, relatively unknown area of the brain. In recent years, researchers have come to believe that the claustrum is concerned with consciousness, a bold hypothesis supported by the claustrum's two-way connections with nearly every other region of the brain and its seeming involvement with multisensory integrations-the hallmark of consciousness. The claustrum, previously in a humble position at the back of the stage, might in fact be the conductor of the brain's orchestra.

The Claustrum brings together leading experts on the claustrum from the varied disciplines of neuroscience, providing a state-of-the-art presentation of what is currently known about the claustrum, promising lines of current research (including epigenetics), and projections of new lines of investigation on the horizon.

Develops a unifying hypothesis about the claustrum's role in consciousness, as well as the integration of sensory information and other higher brain functions Discusses the involvement of the claustrum with autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease Coverage of all aspects of the claustrum, from its evolution and development to promising new lines of research, including epigenetics, provides a platform and point of reference for future investigative efforts

Direct versus Indirect Realism: A Neurophilosophical Debate on Consciousness brings together leading neuroscientists and philosophers to explain and defend their theories on consciousness. The book offers a one-of-a-kind look at the radically opposing theories concerning the nature of the objects of immediate perception-whether these are distal physical objects or phenomenal experiences in the conscious mind. Each side-neuroscientists and philosophers-offers accessible, comprehensive explanations of their points-of-view, with each side also providing a response to the other that offers a unique approach on opposing positions.

It is the only book available that combines thorough discussion of the arguments behind both direct and indirect realism in a single resource, and is required reading for neuroscientists, neurophilosophers, cognitive scientists and anyone interested in conscious perception and the mind-brain connection.

Combines discussion of both direct realism and indirect realism in a single, accessible resource Provides a thorough, well-rounded understanding of not only the opposing views of neuroscientists and philosophers on the nature of conscious perception, but also insight into why the opposition persists Offers a unique "dialog" approach, with neuroscientists and philosophers providing responses and rebuttals to one another's contributions

Exosomes: A Clinical Compendium is a comprehensive and authoritative account of exosomesin the context of biomarkers, diagnostics, and therapeutics across a wide spectrum of medicaldisciplines, as well as their role in cell-cell communication. It is intended to serve as a referencesource for clinicians, physicians, and research scientists who wish to gain insight into the mostrecent advances in this rapidly growing field.

The exosome revolution may well be the greatest advance in physiology and medicine sinceantibiotics. The discovery of their epigenetic role in intercellular signaling in virtually all tissues is amajor breakthrough in our understanding of how cells function.

Provides readers with a broad and timely overview of exosomes in health and disease, closingwith a thought-provoking chapter on transgenerational inheritance, Darwin and Lamarck. Summarizes the most recent laboratory and clinical findings on exosomes across numerousmedical disciplines, thereby offering readers a broad-ranging and solid foundation for prospectiveinvestigative efforts Twenty-one chapters authored by a global team of peer-acknowledged experts, each representinga key medical disciplineProvides readers with a broad and timely overview of exosomes in health and disease, closing