The Other Brain: From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries about the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science [Hardcover]

"The Other Brain", written by R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D., is a must read for anyone interested in the scientific basis of higher brain functions. Virtually every educated person knows that brain function is the result of brain cells called neurons. Wrong! Neurons comprise only 10% of brain cells. The majority of other cells in the brain are collectively known as glia. These comprise about 5 distinct groups of brain cells. Research over the past 30 years has shown that these cells are equal partners in cognitive information processing, and may be more important than neurons. In fact, they may actually be directing the networks of neurons that have been considered the basis of intelligence, memory formation and consciousness for over a century.

Additionally, these cells are now considered leading candidates for both the cause and potential treatments of neurological diseases including Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, ALS, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. The use of glia as stem cells in treatment of these conditions, as well as strokes and brain tumors, is currently a hot topic of research. Dr. Fields, Chief of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is preeminently qualified to write about this topic. His life-long research on glia has provided important clues that may eventually lead to treatment or cures for paralysis resulting from spinal cord trauma.

Fields is a consummate storyteller, and has been referred to as "our neural Jacques Cousteau" because of his ability to transform such a difficult subject into an enjoyable and accessible writing style. Most notable is his intermix of vignettes of the life of men who have worked with glia within the body of the text. This includes some of the most exotic and eccentric characters imaginable.

Particularly enjoyable was the brilliant explorer and scientific polyglot Fridtjof Nansen who first proposed in the nineteenth century that glia were involved in higher cognitive functions. He also mapped ocean currents and received the Nobel Peace Prize. Also notable is the driven and hyper-focused pediatrician Carleton Gajdusek who left a comfortable life in research on infantile paralysis to impulsively travel to New Guinea to live with cannibals for several years to study kuru (similar to Mad Cow Disease). He may be the only Nobel Laureate in Medicine to serve time in prison after receiving this prestigious award. Ichiji Tasaki was given laboratory space at the National Institutes of Health until his recent death at the age of 100. He initially built his own equiptment by hand because his research had outpaced the available technology. The significance of his lifelong research continues to influence gliobiologist to this day.

I have read most of the popular text on brain function written by Nobel Laureates, prominent neuroscientists, philosophers, linguist and "science writers". None can match "The Other Brain" as far as thoroughness of scientific facts and ease or reading. It is a real "page turner". It is the only book on brain function that I could not put down until completed. Until you read this remarkable book about glia, "the other half of the brain", your knowledge of brain function is far from complete.

I throughly enjoy reading and studying all of the articles written by the author of this book in Scientific American and other publications. His fascinating articles in Scientific American on glial cells and white matter is was compelled me to read this outstanding book. I was sad when I finished the book, wanting to learn more hoping that there was at least one more chapter left.

After reading and studying this book, I am more easily able to read, understand and appreciate articles about glial cells in heavier publications like Science. This is not a particularly easy read, but accessible to anyone willing to put a lot of thought into the material which brings me to another point. I wish the author would have incorporated more figures and diagrams into the text instead of just splatting a number of photos and diagrams into the center of the book. All of the diagrams are explained very well, but I would have liked to have seen them more closely tied into the text instead of having to turn the pages back and forth. Many of the pictures he has are taken from Science and Scientific American magazine. Figure 26 (the electron microscope picture) for example is also used in Vol. 298 October 2002 of Science. The other diagram used in the same article in Science is curiously missing from this book. If he would have included that cartoon-like diagram shown in the Science article, it would have done a great deal of good in explaining things like gap junctions, calcium waves, glutamate uptake and release and glial communication using ATP and other molecules. That diagram would have been perfect in the part where he started explaining what astrocyes do. Still, this doesn't take anything away from the book. I'm looking forward to whatever articles or books the author writes in the future on this fascinating subject!

From the history of Einstein's stolen brain to the very end I was thrilled. Not only is this exciting storytelling but it is a fast paced narrative about the incredible discoveries made about the human brain just in the last decade...discoveries that change everything. And the people involved are just as excited including Dr. Fields. He not only tells amazing scientific advances in real terms, he helps the novice follow along. I am a 60 year old retired grocery store manager and even I got it...now there is a testimonial! Among the "stunning" I was most amazed to discover that the human brain is completed back to front and is not finished for approx two decades after birth. Can we say teenagers! All other mammals are born with completed brains and not allowed the opportunity to let their environment influence brain development. As Dr. Fields says, "We are allowed to cheat in evolution's battle for food and reproduction. Buy this one!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 24 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars