Building Brains: An Introduction to Neural Development

by David J. Price, Andrew P. Jarman, John O. Mason

Provides a highly visual, readily accessible introduction to the main events that occur during neural development and their mechanisms Building An Introduction to Neural Development, 2 nd  Edition  describes how brains construct themselves, from simple beginnings in the early embryo to become the most complex living structures on the planet. It explains how cells first become neural, how their proliferation is controlled, what regulates the types of neural cells they become, how neurons connect to each other, how these connections are later refined under the influence of neural activity, and why some neurons normally die. This student-friendly guide stresses and justifies the generally-held belief that a greater knowledge of how nervous systems construct themselves will help us find new ways of treating diseases of the nervous system that are thought to originate from faulty development, such as autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Filled with full-colorartwork that reinforces important concepts; an extensive glossary and definitions that help readers from different backgrounds; and chapter summaries that stress important points and aid revision,  Building An Introduction to Neural Development, 2 nd  Edition  is perfect for undergraduate students and postgraduates who may not have a background in neuroscience and/or molecular genetics. “This elegant book ranges with ease and authority over the vast field of developmental neuroscience. This excellent textbook should be on the shelf of every neuroscientist, as well as on the reading list of every neuroscience student.” 
―Sir Colin Blakemore, Oxford University “With an extensive use of clear and colorful illustrations, this book makes accessible to undergraduates the beauty and complexity of neural development. The book fills a void in undergraduate neuroscience curricula.”
―Professor Mark Bear, Picower Institute, MIT. Highly Commended, British Medical Association Medical Book Awards 2012 Published with the New York Academy of Sciences

Genres: Textbooks

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Alexis]

...So that I can build one in my basement.

[Matthew]

Description - Building Brains: An Introduction to Neural Development provides a concise, molecular and cellular view into the mechanisms required for a basic understanding of how brains are built.

Purpose - The authors sought to highlight the best understood and most interesting aspects of the genetic instructions and molecular pathways involved in guiding the development of the brain for students interested in neuroscience, but who might also lack knowledge in this and other related fields. Because development in general is best depicted visually, the authors succeeded in portraying the developmental process with many colorful illustrations delineating the biochemical, molecular and cellular contributions to the growing brain.

Audience - Ideal for students seeking to grasp a simplistic understanding of the complex process that is brain development, this text succeeds in laying down the foundation for further, more vigorous investigation for aspiring post-graduate endeavors in basic science research and clinical medicine.

Content/ Features - With clear, color-coordinated drawings, the authors first introduce methods for how scientists today study the developing brain in multiple model organisms. They follow with the anatomy of neural development and discuss the molecular and cellular interactions required for proper neural migration, patterning and mapping. Although a systems approach was not the objective, the text lacks even a discrete section on brain anatomy. This would be beneficial to students not familiar with the final organization of the nervous system. Then the authors demonstrate axon and dendrite guidance, and how the activity of certain networks within the brain influence structure and function of those networks. To accomplish the goal of simplifying a complex subject, the authors provide a section on common conventions and abbreviations, along with a thorough glossary of words that are also bolded in the main text. In addition, more complex, "high yield" concepts are directly defined in the page margin. For those interested in pursuing a higher degree of understanding, the authors provide a well bolstered reference section consisting of scientific reviews pertinent to the chapter content. A second edition may include in its reference section more original research papers, although this is not a complete loss to the textbook's audience. Of particular value to those interested in research in this field, is the diversity of model organisms represented in the figures.

Assessment/ Comparison - Overall, the authors of this textbook provide their readers with a visually appealing, straightforward, and easily accessible resource depicting the developmental mechanisms required for building a brain. Most resources on developmental neurobiology are apart of a larger neuroscience text, of which only a small portion of the information is contributed to development. Price et al. provide an excellent intermediary between the small excerpt of a large neuroscience volume and more complex depictions of brain development such as the less recent publication, "The Developing Brain," by Brown et al. Like all endeavors in science, new knowledge is accumulating at an exponential pace and as such, the reader should look to more recent publications in the scientific literature to further expand on the sound foundation established by this text.