The Other Brain : From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries About the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science

Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a potentially critical part of this vital organ has been overlooked—until now. __The Other Brain__ examines the growing importance of glia, which make up approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain, and the role they play in how the brain functions, malfunctions, and heals itself. Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material, glia (meaning “glue”) are now known to regulate the flow of information between neurons and to repair the brain and spinal cord after injury and stroke. But scientists are also discovering that diseased and damaged glia play a significant role in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression, and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Diseased glia cause brain cancer and multiple sclerosis and are linked to infectious diseases such as HIV and prion disease (mad cow disease, for example) and to chronic pain. The more we learn about these cells that make up the “other” brain, the more important they seem to be. Written by a neuroscientist who is a leader in glial research, __The Other Brain__ gives readers a much more complete understanding of how the brain works and an intriguing look at potentially revolutionary developments in brain science and medicine. Despite Everything That Has Been Written About The Brain, A Very Important Part Of This Vital Organ Has Been Overlooked In Most Books Until Now. This Book Is The Story Of Glia, Which Make Up Approximately 85 Percent Of The Cells In The Brain. Long Neglected As Little More Than Cerebral Packing Material (glia Means Glue), Glia Are Sparking A Revolution In Brain Science. Glia Are Completely Different From Neurons, The Brain Cells That We Are Familiar With. Scientists Are Discovering That Glia Have Their Own Communication Network, Which Operates In Parallel To The More Familiar Communication Among Neurons. Glia Provide The Insulation For The Neurons, And Glia Even Regulate The Flow Of Information Between Neurons. But It Is The Potential Breakthroughs For Medical Science That Are The Most Exciting Frontier In Glia Research Today. Diseases Such As Brain Cancer And Multiple Sclerosis Are Caused By Diseased Glia. Glia Are Now Believed To Play An Important Role In Such Psychiatric Illnesses As Schizophrenia And Depression, And In Neurodegenerative Diseases Such As Parkinson's And Alzheimer's. They Are Linked To Infectious Diseases Such As Hiv And Priori Disease (mad Cow Disease, For Example) And To Chronic Pain. Scientists Have Discovered That Glia Repair The Brain And Spinal Cord After Injury And Stroke. The More We Learn About These Cells That Make Up The Other Brain, The More Important They Seem To Be. Discovering The Other Brain. Bubble Wrap Or Brilliant Glue? -- A Look Inside The Brain: The Cellular Components Of The Brain -- Transmissions From The Other Brain: Glia Know And Control Your Mind -- Glia In Health And Disease. Mending The Mind: Glia Repairing Nervous System Damage And Disease -- Brain Cancer: Almost Nothing To Do With Neurons -- Brain And Spinal Cord Injury -- Infection -- Mental Health: Glia, Silent Partners In Mental Illness -- Neurodegenerative Disorders -- Glia And Pain: A Blessing And A Curse -- Glia And Addiction: A Neuron-glia Dependence -- Mother And Child -- Aging: Glia Rage Against The Dying Light -- Glia In Thought And Memory. The Mind Of The Other Brain: Glia Controlling The Conscious And Unconscious Mind -- Memory And Brain Power Beyond Neurons -- Thinking Beyond Synapses -- Into The Future: The New Brain. R. Douglas Fields. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 329-358) And Index. Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a very important part of this vital organ has been overlooked in most books -- until now. The Other Brain is the story of glia, which make up approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain. Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material ("glia" means glue), glia are sparking a revolution in brain science. Glia are completely different from neurons, the brain cells that we are familiar with. Scientists are discovering that glia have their own communication network, which operates in parallel to the more familiar communication among neurons. Glia provide the insulation for the neurons, and glia even regulate the flow of information between neurons. But it is the potential breakthroughs for medical science that are the most exciting frontier in glia research today. Diseases such as brain cancer and multiple sclerosis are caused by diseased glia. Glia are now believed to play an important role in such psychiatric illnesses as schizophrenia and depression, and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They are linked to infectious diseases such as HIV and prion disease (mad cow disease, for example) and to chronic pain. Scientists have discovered that glia repair the brain and spinal cord after injury and stroke. The more we learn about these cells that make up the "other" brain, the more important they seem to be. Written by a neuroscientist who is a leader in the research to reveal the secrets of these brain cells, The Other Brain offers a firsthand account of science in action. It takes us into the laboratories where important discoveries are being made, and it explains how scientists are learning that glial cells come in different types, with different capabilities. It tells the story of glia research from its origins to the most recent discoveries and gives readers a much more complete understanding of how the brain works and where the next breakthroughs in brain science and medicine are likely to come. Review: "Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a very important part of this vital organ has been overlooked in most books - until now. The Other Brain is the story of glia, which make up approximately 85 percent of the cells in the brain. Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material ("glia" means glue), glia are sparking a revolution in brain science." "Glia are completely different from neurons, the brain cells that we are familiar with. Scientists are discovering that glia have their own communication network, which operates in parallel to the more familiar communication among neurons. Glia provide the insulation for the neurons, and glia even regulate the flow of information between neurons." "But it is the potential breakthroughs for medical science that are the most exciting frontier in glia research today. Diseases such as brain cancer and multiple sclerosis are caused by diseased glia. Glia are now believed to play an important role in such psychiatric illnesses as schizophrenia and depression, and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They are linked to infectious diseases such as HIV and priori disease (mad cow disease, for example) and to chronic pain. Scientists have discovered that glia repair the brain and spinal cord after injury and stroke. The more we learn about these cells that make up the "other" brain, the more important they seem to be."--BOOK JACKET Now in trade paperback - the importance of the brain's glial cells and why they may hold the key to memory and a variety of diseases.