Uwe Windhorst – författare

Unique in its breadth and detail, this encyclopedia offers a comprehensive and highly readable guide to a complex and fast-expanding field.The five-volume reference work gathers more than 10,000 entries, including in-depth essays by internationally known experts, and short keynotes explaining essential terms and phrases. In addition, expert editors contribute detailed introductory chapters to each of 43 topic fields ranging from the fundamentals of neuroscience to fascinating developments in the new, inter-disciplinary fields of Computational Neuroscience and Neurophilosophy. Some 1,000 multi-color illustrations enhance and expand the writings.This user-friendly reference will be indispensable to basic and clinical scientists and practitioners in academia, hospitals, private practice, and industry, as a source of reliable information on the structure and function of the nervous system.The Encyclopedia of Neuroscience opens the topic to health care professionals, students, teachers and informed laypersons who require relevant information on this rapidly evolving field.

"Theorizing about brain functions is often considered slightly disreputable and anyhow a waste of time -perhaps even ''philoso- ical''" 1 P. S. CHURCHLAND At present there are no unanimously accepted general con­ cepts of brain operation and function. This is especially the case with regard to so-called "higher" functions such as per­ ception, memory or the coupling between sensory input and motor output. There are a number of different reasons for this. Some may be related to experimental limitations allowing the simultaneous recording of the activities of only a restricted number of neurones. But there are also conceptual difficulties hindering the transition from "single-neurone" schemes, in which neurones are assigned relatively specific tasks (such as feature detection), to more complex schemes of nerve cell as­ semblies (for a discussion of some of the difficulties see Abeles 1982; von der Malsburg 1981; Kriiger 1983). Whilst much is known about the basic properties and functions of single neu­ rones, whose operations we hope to understand in the foresee­ able future, this does not hold true in the same way for the working of large assemblies of neurones.

"Theorizing about brain functions is often considered slightly disreputable and anyhow a waste of time -perhaps even 'philoso- ical'" 1 P. S. CHURCHLAND At present there are no unanimously accepted general con­ cepts of brain operation and function. This is especially the case with regard to so-called "higher" functions such as per­ ception, memory or the coupling between sensory input and motor output. There are a number of different reasons for this. Some may be related to experimental limitations allowing the simultaneous recording of the activities of only a restricted number of neurones. But there are also conceptual difficulties hindering the transition from "single-neurone" schemes, in which neurones are assigned relatively specific tasks (such as feature detection), to more complex schemes of nerve cell as­ semblies (for a discussion of some of the difficulties see Abeles 1982; von der Malsburg 1981; Kriiger 1983). Whilst much is known about the basic properties and functions of single neu­ rones, whose operations we hope to understand in the foresee­ able future, this does not hold true in the same way for the working of large assemblies of neurones.

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument. - Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829 Neuroscience has become a rapidly expanding endeavor that relies on a number of other sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer sci­ ence, general biology and medicine, genetics etc. In fact, many of its recent success­ es result from the application of ideas and methods borrowed from these fields. In­ sofar, it is a true interdisciplinary undertaking. This convergence of influences ac­ counts for part of its enormous attractiveness and fascination to students and re­ searchers from diverse walks of life, or science, for that matter. It is probably fair to say that a great number of neuroscience''s most creative and productive proponents have been lured into this field not only by the excitement about the possibility to un­ mask the secrets of the human mind, but also by the appeal of a vast unknown land needing cultivation and tools to cultivate it. Danger may arise for any science if it is dominated by methods and techniques of investigation rather than by problems to be solved and concepts to be developed. This might concentrate efforts onto the technically feasible and doable, rather than On the real issues. But, On the other hand, especially the young and growing sciences are heavily dependent on the development and application of methods, often even before a problem relying on these methods may become apparent.

Comprehensive Human Physiology is a significantly important publication on physiology, presenting state-of-the-art knowledge about both the molecular mechanisms and the integrative regulation of body functions. This is the first time that such a broad range of perspectives on physiology have been combined to provide a unified overview of the field. This groundbreaking two-volume set reveals human physiology to be a highly dynamic science rooted in the ever-continuing process of learning more about life. Each chapter contains a wealth of original data, clear illustrations, and extensive references, making this a valuable and easy-to-use reference. This is the quintessential reference work in the fields of physiology and pathophysiology, essential reading for researchers, lecturers and advanced students.

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument. - Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829 Neuroscience has become a rapidly expanding endeavor that relies on a number of other sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer sci­ ence, general biology and medicine, genetics etc. In fact, many of its recent success­ es result from the application of ideas and methods borrowed from these fields. In­ sofar, it is a true interdisciplinary undertaking. This convergence of influences ac­ counts for part of its enormous attractiveness and fascination to students and re­ searchers from diverse walks of life, or science, for that matter. It is probably fair to say that a great number of neuroscience's most creative and productive proponents have been lured into this field not only by the excitement about the possibility to un­ mask the secrets of the human mind, but also by the appeal of a vast unknown land needing cultivation and tools to cultivate it. Danger may arise for any science if it is dominated by methods and techniques of investigation rather than by problems to be solved and concepts to be developed. This might concentrate efforts onto the technically feasible and doable, rather than On the real issues. But, On the other hand, especially the young and growing sciences are heavily dependent on the development and application of methods, often even before a problem relying on these methods may become apparent.