The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function

The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function, Fourth Edition continues the tradition of one of the most respected textbooks in clinical neuroscience by providing medical students the knowledge and understanding of neuroscience as a basis for clinical thinking. While remaining concise and easy to read, the text encourages reflection and critical thinking of established facts and scientific conjecture and will be of interest to medical, graduate, and undergraduate students alike. Prof Per Brodal provides clear descriptions of brain structures and relates them to their functional properties by incorporating data from molecular biology to clinical neurology. The numerous full color line drawings - based on the author's long experience of teaching undergraduate students and new to this edition - make it easier to understand complex structural and functional relationships. Thoroughly revised, this fourth edition goes further in integrating material from all fields of the neurosciences. Now divided into 8 Sections with a total of 34 Chapters, each chapter is introduced by a brief overview of what the student can expect to learn. New material has been incorporated in all chapters while maintaining the scope and coverage that has established The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function as the preeminent neuroscience textbook.

About the Author :
Per Brodal, MD, PhD Department of Anatomy Institute of Basic Medical Science University of Oslo Oslo, Norway Per Brodal is professor of Anatomy and former Dean of Education at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Oslo. Dr. Brodal has been working on experimental neuroanatomy for 30 years, and has broad experience in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels. During recent years Dr. Brodal has headed planning and implementation of curricular reforms at the University of Oslo.

Review :
"Overall, as a basic text for learning or reviewing neuroanatomy, I enjoyed reading The Central Nervous System. It is a very worthwhile addition to the library of students and established clinicians and researchers, as its presentation of many aspects of neuroscience are up to date, authoritative and very helpful for ready access." --JINS "Here, the dynamic and concise presentation of both the structure and the function of the central nervous system at different levels (molecular, cellular, and systems), with special emphasis on how the different components are connected and interact, manages to captivate the reader . . . I recommend this book to all medical students, and also to more advanced clinicians . . ." --Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry From reviews of previous editions "...presents a balanced view based on key background information. An excellent book."--Anthony J. Castro in Choice "The third edition of Per Brodal's book is beautifully produced and continues the traditions of excellence . . . The book is clearly and concisely written and manages not to lose the reader in anatomical detail, while explaining physiological mechanisms . . . refreshingly easy to read and I would recommend it as an informative text for medical students . . ." --Bill Winlow in Physiology News "...Per Brodal has risen to the challenge of explaining an increasingly complex topic by a synthesis of style and format that immediately engages even the first time reader, and facilitates understanding...This text belongs in the curriculum of students beginning studies in the health science disciplines. The author has been faithful to the Brodal tradition of bridging the gap between basic and clinical neurosciences by relating structure at all levels of the nervous system (molecular, cellular, systems) to its function."--R.J. Riopelle in Journal of Neurological Sciences "Brodal has done a remarkable job of presenting a diverse spectrum of topics... The consistent prose of a single author, highlighted blocks of text for clinical examples, and just the right amount of pictures and figures scattered throughout the book enhances its effectiveness in presenting a large volume of facts in a limited space... I agree that this book is ideal for a medical student."--Gregory Youngnam Chang, Archives of Neurology "The book is very easy to read...A suitable refresher course for all students of neuroscience."--Michael N. Hart in Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology "The book is well structured and is an essential guide for those who seek a greater understanding in areas of neuroanatomy and nauroscience."--Physiotherapy "Overall, as a basic text for learning or reviewing neuroanatomy, I enjoyed reading The Central Nervous System. It is a very worthwhile addition to the library of students and established clinicians and researchers, as its presentation of many aspects of neuroscience are up to date, authoritative and very helpful for ready access." --JINS From reviews of previous editions "...presents a balanced view based on key background information. An excellent book."--Anthony J. Castro in Choice "The third edition of Per Brodal's book is beautifully produced and continues the traditions of excellence . . . The book is clearly and concisely written and manages not to lose the reader in anatomical detail, while explaining physiological mechanisms . . . refreshingly easy to read and I would recommend it as an informative text for medical students . . ." --Bill Winlow in Physiology News "...Per Brodal has risen to the challenge of explaining an increasingly complex topic by a synthesis of style and --Bill Winlow in Physiology Newseven the first time reader, and facilitates understanding...This text belongs in the curriculum of students beginning studies in the health science disciplines. The author has been faithful to the Brodal tradition of bridging the gap between basic and clinical neurosciences by relating structure at all levels of the nervous system (molecular, cellular, systems) to its function."--R.J. Riopelle in Journal of Neurological Sciences "Brodal has done a remarkable job of presenting a diverse spectrum of topics... The consistent prose of a single author, highlighted blocks of text for clinical examples, and just the right amount of pictures and figures scattered throughout the book enhances its effectiveness in presenting a large volume of facts in a limited space... I agree that this book is ideal for a medical student."--Gregory Youngnam Chang, Archives of Neurology "The book is very easy to read...A suitable refresher course for all students of neuroscience."--Michael N. Hart in Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology "Primarily for use by undergraduate students of medicine, physiotherapy and psychology. It is easy to read and the text is successfully written to generate and maintain interest, an objective assisted to great measure by some excellent line diagrams and photomicrographs...Not only a first-class text, it is also excellent value for the money."--Peter Usherwood in Times Higher Education Supplement "This reviewer strongly recommends the book...as [one of the two] best of the current books available for learning neuroanatomy."--Choice "The interest in this book resides in the [author's] constant effort to try and establish the link between recent scientific advancements and clinical practice. This goal is largely accomplished...thanks to clear English writing and numerous carefully done illustrations...The logical approach of this book will suit neophytes in neurology who will be able to better understand a symptom. The more learned will also find it interesting."--S. Timsit in Revue de neurologie "Here, the dynamic and concise presentation of both the structure and the function of the central nervous system at different levels (molecular, cellular, and systems), with special emphasis on how the different components are connected and interact, manages to captivate the reader . . . I recommend this book to all medical students, and also to more advanced clinicians . . ." --Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry "Very nicely written...and in many ways ideal for the needs of medical students."--Prof. Lawrence Kruger, UCLA "An excellent general text for use in the education of medical students in neuroscience. Complete overview without an excess of detail."--Prof. Patrick M. Dougherty, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine "This is a completely new version of Alf Brodal's popular book of the same name which ran to four editions between 1949 and 1982...It is modern in its approach and achieves its effect without burying the reader in anatomical detail or by cutting the corners of accuracy in the interests of abbreviation...[It] retains the clarity of presentation and the simple, easy-to-read style of its predecessors...[It] has much of the flavor of the earlier versions by Brodal pere, particularly the succinct clinical annotations which are a valuable feature."--Edward G. Jones in Trends in Neuroscience "The book is well structured and is an essential guide for those who seek a greater understanding in areas of neuroanatomy and nauroscience."--Physiotherapy "...the fourth edition updates areas of neuroscience where the understanding of function has changed...The illustrations, images, and clinical correlations are right on target and are what differentiates this book from its competitors. This is an excellent resource that is a must have for all medical libraries that serve any students interested in the neurosciences."--Doody's, a five-star review, highest rating!