Neurobiology For Dummies

An essential guide to help you demystify the complex topic of neurobiology and jump into this fascinating scientific field

Neurobiology is a notoriously difficult subject, but Neurobiology For Dummies explains the essentials in terms anyone can understand. This fun and accessible book covers the fundamentals, covering the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the nervous system. Students in fields like neuroscience and pharmacology will get a complete overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the nervous system, making it easier to complete coursework and pass exams in introductory neurobiology courses. In this updated edition, fresh examples highlight the latest research, so you’ll be prepared with a current understanding of the science. Whatever your ultimate career destination, this Dummies guide will help you get neurobiology under your belt.

• Get easy-to-understand explanations of complex topics in neurobiology
• Understand the latest breakthroughs in neurological disease treatments
• Learn about the fascinating ways that the brain and body are interconnected
• Supplement your neurobiology textbook and prepare for your exam

This is the perfect resource for students majoring in neuroscience, biology, cognitive science, medicine, and beyond. With Neurobiology For Dummies as a supplement, you can sail through any introductory neurobiology course.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Getting Started with Neurobiology

CHAPTER 1: Welcome to the World of Neurobiology

CHAPTER 2: Meeting the Building Blocks

CHAPTER 3: Constructing the Nervous System

CHAPTER 4: Modulating Membrane Potentials

CHAPTER 5: Transmitting to Targets

CHAPTER 6: Communicating through Chemicals

Part 2: Controlling Muscles, Movement, and Survival

CHAPTER 7: Moving Muscles with Motor Neurons

CHAPTER 8: Controlling Movement through Brain Pathways

CHAPTER 9: Focusing On the Spinal Cord and Brain Stem

CHAPTER 10: Maintaining the Internal Environment

CHAPTER 11: Topping It Off: The Neocortex

CHAPTER 12: Delving into Motor Systems Disorders

Part 3: Understanding Perception and Cognition

CHAPTER 13: Looking At Vision and Hearing

CHAPTER 14: Feeling, Smelling, and Tasting

CHAPTER 15: Learning to Remember

CHAPTER 16: The Frontal Lobes and Executive Motor Control

CHAPTER 17: Thinking About Intelligence, Language, and Lateralization

CHAPTER 18: Brain Dysfunction in Developmental and Mental Disorders

Part 4: The Part of Tens

CHAPTER 19: Ten Most Important Neural Circuits

CHAPTER 20: Ten Technologies Revolutionizing Brain Science

About the Author

Frank Amthor, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University at Alabama. He was an NIH-supported researcher for more than 20 years and published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and conference abstracts. 

Anne B. Theibert, PhD is Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She directed an NIH-funded research laboratory for 18 years and has published numerous research articles and book chapters with a focus on cellular, molecular, and developmental neurobiology.