Integrative Neuroscience

Most brain related activity has focussed on specialized interests within individual disciplines. Recent multidisciplinary activity has provided the impetus to break down these boundaries and encourage a freer exchange of information across disciplines. This text reflects these developments. It spans the landscape of brain science to provide core information from 12 disciplines (including evolution, philosophy, anatomy, chemistry, computer science, brain dynamics, psychology, neurology, psychiatry, psychotherapy and brain imaging). In outlining how and why it is now possible to realistically model aspects of the brain's dynamics from such a wide range of intellectual endeavors, this book will prove itself useful to undergraduates, postgraduates and all those seeking a contemporary perspective and evaluation of the current status and future directions in the brain sciences.

This book takes an in depth and hard look at the current status and future direction of treatment predictive markers in Personalized Medicine for the brain from the perspectives of the researchers on the cutting edge and those involved in healthcare implementation. The contents provide a comprehensive text suitable as both a pithy introduction to and a clear summary of the "science to solutions" continuum in this developing field of Personalized Medicine and Integrative Neuroscience. The science includes both measures of genes using whole genome approaches and SNIPS as well as BRAINmarkers of direct brain function such as brain imaging, biophysical changes and objective cognitive and behavioral measurements. Personalized Medicine for Brain Disorders will soon be a reality using the comprehensive quantitative and standardized approaches to genomics, BRAINmarkers and cognitive function. Each chapter provides a review of recent relevant literature; show the solutions achieved through integrative neuroscience and applications in patient care thus providing a practical guide to the reader. The timeliness of this book's content is propitious providing bottom line information to educate practicing clinicians, health care workers and researchers, and also a pathway for undergraduate and graduates interested in further their understanding of and involvement in tailored personal solutions.

This book examines the biological, especially the neural, substrates of affiliation and related social behaviors. Affiliation refers to social behaviors that bring individuals closer together. This includes such associations as attachment, parent-offspring interactions, pair-bonding, and the building of coalitions. Affiliations provide a social matrix within which other behaviors, including reproduction and aggression, may occur. While reproduction and aggression also reduce the distance between individuals, their expression is regulated in part by the positive social fabric of affiliative behavior.Until recently, researchers have paid little attention to the regulatory physiology and neural processes that subserve affiliative behaviors. The integrative approach in this book reflects the constructive interactions between those who study behavior in the context of natural history and evolution and those who study the nervous system.The book contains the partial proceedings of a conference of the same title held in Washington, DC, in 1996. The full proceedings was published as part of the Annals of the York Academy of Sciences.

This book is unique in expanding the boundaries of neuroscience, while remaining solidly grounded within it. In this, it outlines a new plateau of wider integrative understanding both within and beyond neuroscience. The book advances the view and implications of an integrated functional unity of consciousness and brain, inclusive of freedom of will. It reaches from first principles of human awareness and apprehension and the physical foundations of consciousness, through a structured integrative view of consciousness and the brain, to outlines of the ambient contextual influences of human living. Comprehensive overviews of brain theory and theoretical neuroscience are given. Fundamental brain functions of human apprehension, language, value, aesthetics, rational and extrarational knowing, biological primals, and adaptive integrations are seen to operate within such ambient influences as whole of nature, human plight, circumstances, personal life, good and evil, inner depths, worlds of man, and enlightenments.Prof Ronald MacGregor has published extensively in theoretical neuroscience since 1965, consistently advocating the foundationality of physiology and physical law in brain-mind function. His work has helped ground neuroelectric signaling within physical science and characterize the neuroelectric patterns of neurons and neural networks.

Neuroscience is progressing so rapidly that even expressions such as 'by leaps and bounds' fail to capture the pace of its growth. Questions that once were thought to be unanswerable - perhaps even unaskable - have been both asked and answered, and questions once unthinkable, are routine. Topics in Integrative Neuroscience has singled out four of the most important problems in neuroscience: higher order perception; language; memory systems; and sensory processes. The volume presents original contributions by many of the leading researchers in those fields, and with an initial chapter covering neuroethics. It is impossible to capture fully the sweep of discoveries that emerged from the 'Decade of the Brain' within the covers of a single volume. It is possible, however, to provide a sample, both in recognition of what has been accomplished and as a harbinger of what is surely to come.

Besides outlining a new plateau of wider integrative understanding both within and beyond neuroscience, the book advances a theory and model of an integrated functional unity of consciousness and brain, inclusive of freedom of will. Its scope is wide, covering topics ranging from first principles of human awareness and apprehension and the physical foundations of consciousness, through a structured integrative view of consciousness and the brain grounded and developed in neuroscience, to the outline of the ambient contextual influences of human living. Human apprehension, language, value and rational knowing are discussed, and seen to operate within contexts of imagination, holistic sensibility, circumstances, the human condition, and higher thought.

Most brain related activity has focussed on specialized interests within individual disciplines. Recent multidisciplinary activity has provided the impetus to break down these boundaries and encourage a freer exchange of information across disciplines. This text reflects these developments. It spans the landscape of brain science to provide core information from 12 disciplines (including evolution, philosophy, anatomy, chemistry, computer science, brain dynamics, psychology, neurology, psychiatry, psychotherapy and brain imaging).In outlining how and why it is now possible to realistically model aspects of the brain's dynamics from such a wide range of intellectual endeavors, this book will prove itself useful to undergraduates, postgraduates and all those seeking a contemporary perspective and evaluation of the current status and future directions in the brain sciences.

Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach describes the history and process by which neurofeedback has become an effective tool for treating many mental and behavioral health conditions. It explains how new brain research and improvements in imaging technology allow for a new conceptualization of the brain. It also discusses how biomedical factors can degrade brain functioning and cause a wide range of symptoms of mental disorders. The book is written in an accessible style for easy understanding and application to classification and treatment. It shares the clinical experiences of practitioners working with specific symptom constellations generally categorized by a DSM diagnostic label. It examines the brain as a self-regulating communications system and discusses how much of mental dysfunction can be understood as acquired brain behavior that can be redirected with the help of EEG-based neurofeedback. It describes principles and practices of integrating neurofeedback that make redirection possible. Recent discoveries on the neuroelectrical properties of the brain illuminate the possibilities of combining innovative neurotherapy techniques with integrative medicine to achieve optimal brain function. Case studies of clinical applications highlight the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating autism, ADHD, and trauma, particularly PTSD. Integrative approaches are the future of health care, and neurofeedback will play an increasingly significant role. Restoring the Brain: Neurofeedback as an Integrative Approach gives you a better understanding of the use and practice of neurofeedback.

Shaun D. Cain, The Journal of Experimental Biology --Book Jacket.