Cesur Yeni Beyin Genom Çağındaki Fetih: Ruh Hastalıkları

by Nancy C. Andreasen

After centuries of outsiders carping about scientific reductionism, the promised synthesis is finally on its way. Immunology, genetics, medicine, neurology, and other fields are starting to overlap more and more, and prominent neuropsychiatrist Nancy C. Andreasen explores one exciting intersection in Brave New Brain. The author's broad understanding and straightforward writing offer readers a penetrating glimpse into new and future treatments for mental illness. Focusing on four devastating maladies (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and dementia), she shows what scientists have learned about them recently thanks to powerful imaging and biochemical tools. This knowledge, growing exponentially and integrated with data from diverse scientific research including the Human Genome Project, is used to propose mechanisms underlying diseases and potential cures--from genetic repair to bold new pharmacologic interventions.

Well-illustrated and lucidly explained, the book is an excellent lay primer on the brain and its disorders. Though Andreasen's prose isn't as elegant as some of her colleagues', it is clear and always to the point; many readers will appreciate the lack of distraction from the book's content. The hope she holds out to sufferers of mental illness, if not immediately promising, is certainly brighter than has been offered in recent years. Despite its moderately sinister title, Brave New Brain is an enlightening and even uplifting look at the convergence of several important scientific disciplines. --Rob Lightner

Genres: Psychology, Science, Neuroscience, Nonfiction, Medical, Psychiatry, Brain

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D., is Andrew H. Woods Chair of Psychiatry at The University of Iowa College of Medicine. She is actively involved in neuroimaging research, which involves the use of structural MR imaging, functional MR, and positron emission tomography.
She has written a book on neuroimaging (Brain Imaging: Applications in Psychiatry), as well as more than 500 articles and seven books on other related topics. The primary emphasis of her research is on the development and application of novel neuroimaging tools, the study of normal cognition and emotion, and the study of major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and schizotypal personality.

Reviews

[Lydia Pack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow- it took me a long time to read this book. The beginning is pretty slow, like, really slow. Also, of course a lot of the scientific discoveries and technology are pretty outdated now with this being published twenty years ago.

However, I still give it 3 stars because I feel like it combines two really interesting topics, and puts them into a new perspective I had never really thought about. If you’re into genetics or mental illness, or both like me, this is a great read for the nerd in you.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the information here is starting to date a bit, but still very interesting. If you're averse to the using a neurobiological model to determine the origins of mental disorders (and subsequent biochemical treatment i.e. drugs) you'd better read something else.

[Safa Kursun · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a medical student, I learned so much from this book, it is written technical but author describes everything from basic.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I'm also on team "late to the party" when it comes to reading this book since it was published 21 years ago and science practically changes every day. Sadly for "the future", I found Jim's story in the beginning to still be relatable today. It was extremely informative and it was written in a very comprehensive tone that almost anyone can understand. Despite its age, it still seems to hold relevance. I'd love to see a new edition come out though!

[Anthony Cleveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Dr. Andreasen's book, The Broken Brain (1984), years ago. This one (published in 2001) once again displays her brilliance as both a writer and Psychiatrist. While neuroscience has made some progress in this area since then, this work would still serve as a good place to start for those interested in the topic.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic information on neurophysiology and mental illness.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the mark is missed in this book--but well written