The Biology of Thought: A Neuronal Mechanism in the Generation of Thought - A New Molecular Model - Hardcover

Dharani, Krishnagopal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0128009004 ISBN 13: 9780128009000

Publisher: Academic Press, 2014

Synopsis

The question of "what is thought" has intrigued society for ages, yet it is still a puzzle how the human brain can produce a myriad of thoughts and can store seemingly endless memories. All we know is that sensations received from the outside world imprint some sort of molecular signatures in neurons – or perhaps synapses – for future retrieval. What are these molecular signatures, and how are they made? How are thoughts generated and stored in neurons? The Biology of Thought explores these issues and proposes a new molecular model that sheds light on the basis of human thought. Step-by-step it describes a new hypothesis for how thought is produced at the micro-level in the brain – right at the neuron.

Despite its many advances, the neurobiology field lacks a comprehensive explanation of the fundamental aspects of thought generation at the neuron level, and its relation to intelligence and memory. Derived from existing research in the field, this book attempts to lay biological foundations for this phenomenon through a novel mechanism termed the "Molecular-Grid Model" that may explain how biological electrochemical events occurring at the neuron interact to generate thoughts. The proposed molecular model is a testable hypothesis that hopes to change the way we understand critical brain function, and provides a starting point for major advances in this field that will be of interest to neuroscientists the world over.

• Written to provide a comprehensive coverage of the electro-chemical events that occur at the neuron and how they interact to generate thought
• Provides physiology-based chapters (functional anatomy, neuron physiology, memory) and the molecular mechanisms that may shape thought
• Contains a thorough description of the process by which neurons convert external stimuli to primary thoughts

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Dharani graduated from Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) in 1987, and did his Master of Surgery from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (South Karnataka) in 1992. He completed his Senior Residency in Vascular Surgery from Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) and is presently working as a Senior Civil Servant in AP Medical Services. He is also a science promotional writer, and has written a locally published book titled “The Role of Cell Membrane in the Origin of Life . His articles have been published in various Indian Science Journals such as ScienceIndia, Amity College of Biotechnology (Noida), local magazines and others. He can be contacted with queries at kgdharanidr@gmail.com.

Review

"Our ways of thinking and understanding the brain and our lives as people, along with the progress of computer science are also affected by The Biology of Thought. This is science writing at its finest and most cerebral, and should not be missed." --Pacific Book Review

"An exhaustive look at the process behind the formation of thoughts and memories... One particular chapter, which goes deeper into the formation of memory traces and dendritic pleats, may be the most interesting section for general readers, as it discusses mental pathways that exist in utero and in newborns-which, he says, may explain artistic prodigies, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart... An engaging, in-depth, and accessible book on brain function." --Kirkus Reviews

Edition details

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0128009004
• ISBN 13: 9780128009000
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248