The Central Nervous System: Structure and Function

A major goal of this well-established textbook is to provide knowledge and understanding of neuroscience as a basis for clinical thinking. The strong emphasis on linking basic sciences with their clinical application has implications for the choices of which topics to treat in depth and which to treat more summarily - making this different from most other neuroscience textbooks. For example, topics of great practical importance like the cranial nerves, the autonomic nervous system, and pain are treated in depth. The book provides clear descriptions of brain structures and relates them to their functional properties by incorporating data ranging from molecular biology to clinical neurology and psychiatry. The focus is on fostering understanding of how the brain works rather than on the memorization of many details. Critical thinking is encouraged by providing information about the scientific basis for many "facts," and pointing out where the evidence is insufficient to reach final conclusions. The many two-color illustrations - based on the author's long experience in teaching medical students - make it easy to grasp complex structural and functional relationships.
The third edition goes further than the previous ones in integrating material from all fields of the neurosciences. Two new chapters have been included on the vestibular system and control of eye movements, and all other chapters have been thoroughly revised. Although new material has been added, the total length of the text is virtually unchanged due to careful re-writing and elimination of less important material. There are many completely new figures and numerous others have been redrawn to enhance clarity.

Per Brodal is at University of Oslo.