About neuroscience


Title: Fundamentals of human neuropsychology

  • Authors: Bryan Kolb and Ian Q. Whishaw
  • Publisher: W.H. Freeman and Company
  • Year: 1980-1996
  • ISBN: 0-7167-2387-5
  • Description: This book covers a broad terrain; the basics (organization of the nervous system, including cellular organization), biochemical activity, sensory and motor systems, the organization of the cortex (one chapter on the occipital lobes), higher functions (memory, languague, emotions), and abnormalities. It is a pleasure to read.


Title: Neuroscience - Exploring the brain

  • Authors: Mark F. Bear, Barry W. Connors, Michael A. Paradiso
  • Publisher: Williams and Wilkins
  • Year: 1996
  • ISBN: 0-683-00488-3
  • Description: It is a true school textbook, but probably one of the best. It covers all the basics from neurons and axons to circadian rhythms and memory. There is a chapter on the visual system, which is a terriffic introduction into the matter, while still covering a lot of ground, and advanced topics like orientation columns, blobs, and ventral and dorsal streams. The book has very many illustrations and photos.


Title: Phantoms in the brain

  • Authors: V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D. and Sandra Blakeslee
  • Publisher: Quill William Morrow
  • Year: 1998
  • ISBN: 0-688-17217-2
  • Description:  Very well written stories about patients with neurological disorders. One of the chapters, on blindsight, en passant explains how the visual system works (and does so very well). This book is truly a joy to read.


Title: Oefenboek neurologie

  • Author: dr. H.J.G.H. Oosterhuis
  • Publisher: Elsevier/Bunge
  • Year: 1999
  • ISBN: 90-352-2088-9
  • Description: Yes, this book is indeed in a foreign language (Dutch). It is written for students of clinical neurology, and presents cases with findings, x-rays, lab reports etc, while you, the reader, are supposed to make a diagnosis. You can check your answers elsewhere in the book. It was probably quite improper use of this book to read and make educated guesses, but it was great fun and you do really learn a lot.


Title: Brain perception memory

  • Editor: Johan J. Bolhuis
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • Year: 2000
  • ISBN: 0-19-852492-X
  • Description: 5 articles on vision, 13 on learning and memory. Varied and interesting material.


Title: Disorders of brain and mind

  • Editors: Maria A. Ron, Anthony S. David
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Year: 1998
  • ISBN: 0-521-77851-4
  • Description: A collection of articles about the frontal lobes, basal ganglia, memory, brain damage, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and the relation between damage or disease of particular parts of the brain and behavior.


Title: Behavior and mood disorders in focal brain lesions

  • Editor: Julien Bogousslavsky and Jeffrey L. Cummings
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Year: 2000
  • ISBN: 0-521-77482-9
  • Description: Covers roughly the same topics as "Disorders of brain and mind".


Title: Mapping the mind

  • Author: Rita Carter
  • Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
  • Year: 1998
  • ISBN: 0-297-62330-2
  • Description: You could buy this book for the beautiful images alone.

Title: Frontiers in cognitive neuroscience

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  • Editors:  Stephen M. Kosslyn and Richard A. Andersen
  • Publisher: M.I.T. Press
  • Year: 1992
  • ISBN: 0-262-11163-2
  • Description: Collection of articles; a lot about vision. Tough bedtime reading (very large and heavy book). Also obtained from a used-book shop.


Title: Left brain, Right brain

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  • Author: Sally P. Springer and Georg Deutsch
  • Publisher: W.H. Freeman and company
  • Year: 1981
  • ISBN: 0-7167-2373-5
  • Description: About differences between the brain hemispheres. Split-brain patients, left-handedness. Fascinating read for a rainy Sunday afternoon.