This book provides a fresh look at one of the most enduring, absorbing, and universal questions human beings face: What happens to us after we die? In secular thought, the standard answer is simple: we disappear into oblivion. David Harmon takes us in a different direction, by making the case that a nonconscious portion of our personality survives death-literally, not figuratively-and explains how this kind of naturalistic afterlife can be emotionally relevant to us while we are still living. Combining insights from the arts, history, philosophy, and science, a compelling argument takes shape for an afterlife without God.

Good communication, conventional wisdom suggests, is calm, logical, rational. Emotions, we're told, just get in the way. But what if this is backwards? What if those emotional overtones are the main messages we're sending to one another, and all that logical language is just window dressing? Over billions of years of evolution, animals have become increasingly sophisticated and increasingly sentient. In the process, they evolved emotions, which helped improve their odds of survival in complex situations. These emotions were, at first, purely internal. But at some point, social animals began expressing their emotions, in increasingly dramatic ways. These emotional expressions could accurately reflect internal emotions (smiling to express happiness)-or they could be quite different (smiling to cover up that you're actually furious, but can't tell your boss that). Why did once-stone-faced animals evolve to be so emotionally expressive-to be us? The answer, as evolutionary neurobiologist Mark Changizi and mathematician Tim Barber reveal, is that emotional expressions are our first and most important language-one that allows us, as social animals, to engage in highly sophisticated communications and negotiations. Expressly Human introduces an original theory that explains, from first principles, how the broad range of emotional expressions evolved, and provides a Rosetta Stone for human communication. It will revolutionize the way you see every social interaction, from deciding who gets the last slice of pizza to multimillion-dollar business negotiations, and change your definition of what makes us human.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

Provides a timely overview of critical advances in molecular and cellular neurobiology, covers key methodologies driving progress, and highlights key future directions for research on neuronal injury and neurodegeneration relevant to neuronal brain pathologies. The editors bring together contributions from internationally recognized workers in the field to provide an up to date account of how and why molecular and cellular neurobiology is such an important area for clinical neuroscience. Understanding the molecular aspects of a number of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease for the purpose of improving patient management remains a major challenge of neurobiology be it from the basic or clinical perspective. A strategic evaluation of research contributions and the power of modern methods will help advance knowledge over the next years.

Out of the broad arena of sport science and sport psychology, Roland A. Carlstedt presents a comprehensive collection on the neuroscience and associated psychophysiology that underlies and drives sport performance. Featuring sections ranging from the basics and foundations (anatomy and physiology) to the applied (assessment during competition, training, and mental training), Handbook of Sport Neuroscience and Psychophysiology is the first volume to provide students, researchers, practitioners, and coaches the latest knowledge on the brain, mind-body processes, and psychophysiological responding in the context of sport performance.

This volume presents a review of recent developments in nitrogen fixation using transition metal-dinitrogen complexes in the last decade. The authors are international experts in the corresponding field and each chapter discusses their latest achievements in the preparation of various transition metal-dinitrogen complexes and their reactivity. This volume will be helpful to researchers, teachers, and students who are interested in innovative and sustainable chemistry.

Authored by world renowned scientists, this book expertly reviews all the imaging techniques and exciting new methods for the analysis of the pain, including novel tracers, biomarker, metabolomic and gene-array profiling, together with cellular, genetic, and molecular approaches. Recent advances in human brain imaging techniques have allowed a better understand of the functional connectivity in pain pathways, as well as the functional and anatomical alterations that occur in chronic pain patients. Modern imaging techniques have permitted rapid progress in the understanding of networks in the brain related to pain processing and those related to different types of pain modulation. Neuroimaging of Pain is designed to be a valuable resource for radiologists, neuroradiologists, neurologists and neuroscientists, working in hospitals and universities from junior trainees to consultants.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 % of the human population and is characterized by a core symptomatology including deficits in social interaction and repetitive patterns of behaviour plus various co-morbidities. Although a lot of progress has been made to uncover underlying causes and mechanisms throughout the last decade, we are still at the very beginning to understand this enormously complex neurodevelopmental condition. This special volume is focused on translational anatomy and cell biology of ASD. International experts from the field including several members of the EU-AIMS initiative launched by the European Union to develop novel treatments for ASD have contributed chapters on several topics covering all crucial aspects of translational ASD research with a special emphasis on ASD model systems including stem cells and animals. Primary objective is to clarify how anatomical and cell biological phenotypes of ASD will help to translate basic mechanisms to clinical practice and to efficiently treat affected individuals in the near future.

The science of cannabinoids is 50 years old. These past years provided a remarkable and constant number of breakthroughs, showing that the signaling mediated by endocannabinoids and lipid mediators impacts almost every function of the body. Indeed, this represents a special field of research, which allows tackling the complexity of biological functions, and provides potential therapeutic frameworks for a plethora of diseases. The number of exciting discoveries brought up to the scientific community almost on a daily basis highlights the importance of an updated volume on this topic. Particularly, given that potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids are currently under heavy analysis in many Countries worldwide. Hence, the main objective of this book is to explore not only some of the many functions of endocannabinoids (and lipid mediators) in physiological control of networks at a cellular and molecular level, but also to extend this knowledge for potential use of cannabinoids and/or drugs regulating endocannabinoid levels in vivo as therapeutic target(s) in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this book new findings and ideas about the endocannabinoid system and its roles as neuronal circuit modulator related to human brain pathologies characterized by alterations in neuroplasticity will be highlighted. Endocannabinoid roles in key systems controlling appetite, pain, learning and memory, as well as sleep and stress responses will be presented. In addition, pathological processes associated with changes in endocannabinoid signaling will be discussed in the context of anxiety, autism, depression and addiction. This book will provide an excellent background to researchers looking for extending their areas of interest, and to newcomers in the field.

This new edition provides updated and novel protocols of neuroproteomics methods that encompass both global-scale as well as targeted and specialized topics, which are timely additions for the molecular and phenotypic analysis of the central nervous system and CNS-related disorders. The detailed contents of this book include the exploration of several exciting areas of advanced methods used for neuroproteomics research including relative and absolute protein quantitation by mass spectrometry, characterization of post-translational modifications, as well as bioinformatics and computational approaches. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, methodology chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Updated and accessible, Neuroproteomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves researchers and clinical scientists involved in the area of biomarker research and protein biochemistry, as well as molecular biologists and biochemists who have been involved in proteomics research already or even for those new to the field.

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors

Parents, friends, teachers, relatives, and even work colleagues - from the people close to us to those we never even meet - other people are constantly shaping who we are. The mirror neuron is a part of the brain that has shaped each and every one of us throughout our lifetimes. It is the very essence of what makes us human, but most of us have never even heard of it. Mirror Thinking explores how the mirror neuron has defined us through the role models we observe and interact with. All of the learning we take from our world is down to our brain's mirror system, but it doesn't stop there. This incredible system is also responsible for our emotional connections with others, how we pass on learning between the generations through stories, and how we imagine and innovate within our own minds. In Mirror Thinking, psychologist and award-winning author Fiona Murden looks at the mirrors that have shaped our lives: parents, friends, teachers, relatives, and even work colleagues. From the people close to us to those we never even meet - other people are constantly shaping who we are. By having a better understanding of this system we are able to take conscious control of it, encouraging us to have a more positive impact on the world around us and on society as a whole.

This book presents neuromorphic cognitive systems from a learning and memory-centered perspective. It illustrates how to build a system network of neurons to perform spike-based information processing, computing, and high-level cognitive tasks. It is beneficial to a wide spectrum of readers, including undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers who are interested in neuromorphic computing and neuromorphic engineering, as well as engineers and professionals in industry who are involved in the design and applications of neuromorphic cognitive systems, neuromorphic sensors and processors, and cognitive robotics. The book formulates a systematic framework, from the basic mathematical and computational methods in spike-based neural encoding, learning in both single and multi-layered networks, to a near cognitive level composed of memory and cognition. Since the mechanisms for integrating spiking neurons integrate to formulate cognitive functions as in the brain are little understood, studies of neuromorphic cognitive systems are urgently needed. The topics covered in this book range from the neuronal level to the system level. In the neuronal level, synaptic adaptation plays an important role in learning patterns. In order to perform higher-level cognitive functions such as recognition and memory, spiking neurons with learning abilities are consistently integrated, building a system with encoding, learning and memory functionalities. The book describes these aspects in detail.

This book discusses the emerging field of industrial neuroscience, and reports on the authors' cutting-edge findings in the evaluation of mental states, including mental workload, cognitive control and training of personnel involved either in the piloting of aircraft and helicopters, or in managing air traffic. It encompasses neuroimaging and cognitive psychology techniques and shows how they have been successfully applied in the evaluation of human performance and human-machine interactions, and to guarantee a proper level of safety in such operational contexts. With an introduction to the most relevant concepts of neuroscience, neurophysiological techniques, simulators and case studies in aviation environments, it is a must-have for both students and scientists in the field of aeronautic and biomedical engineering, as well as for various professionals in the aviation world. This is the first book to intensively apply neurosciences to the evaluation of human factors and mental states in aviation.

Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback, Third Edition offers a window into brain physiology and function via computer and statistical analyses, suggesting innovative approaches to the improvement of attention, anxiety, mood and behavior. Resources for understanding what QEEG and neurofeedback are, how they are used, and to what disorders and patients they can be applied are scarce, hence this volume serves as an ideal tool for clinical researchers and practicing clinicians. Sections cover advancements (including Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation, photobiomodulation), new applications (e.g. Asperger's, music therapy, LORETA, etc.), and combinations of prior approaches. New chapters on smart-phone technologies and mindfulness highlight their clinical relevance. Written by top scholars in the field, this book offers both the breadth needed for an introductory scholar and the depth desired by a clinical professional.

This book describes the prize-winning brain-computer-interface (BCI) projects honored in the community's most prestigious annual award. BCIs enable people to communicate and control their limbs and/or environment using thought processes alone. Research in this field continues to develop and expand rapidly, with many new ideas, research groups, and improved technologies having emerged in recent years. The chapters in this volume feature the newest developments from many of the best labs worldwide. They present both non-invasive systems (based on the EEG) and intracortical methods (based on spikes or ECoG), and numerous innovative applications that will benefit new user groups

This work is motivated by the ongoing open question of how information in the outside world is represented and processed by the brain. Consequently, several novel methods are developed. A new mathematical formulation is proposed for the encoding and decoding of analog signals using integrate-and-fire neuron models. Based on this formulation, a novel algorithm, significantly faster than the state-of-the-art method, is proposed for reconstructing the input of the neuron. Two new identification methods are proposed for neural circuits comprising a filter in series with a spiking neuron model. These methods reduce the number of assumptions made by the state-of-the-art identification framework, allowing for a wider range of models of sensory processing circuits to be inferred directly from input-output observations. A third contribution is an algorithm that computes the spike time sequence generated by an integrate-and-fire neuron model in response to the output of a linear filter, given the input of the filter encoded with the same neuron model.

Advances in methodologies and experimental models are pivotal to furthering our understanding of central nervous system (CNS) functions in mammals. Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits examines the application a variety of technologies to mostly active in vitro preparations from basically different CNS regions with a diversity of functions. From patch-clamp, multiphoton imaging, live fluorescent protein expression, or immunohistochemistry techniques to acute or 'organotypic' slices and en bloc preparations, this detailed volume features key protocols and examples for exciting results from the labs of renowned experts. Written for the popular Neuromethods series, chapters include the kind of thorough implementation advice that is vital for achieving successful results. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits will greatly aid scientists to further improve models and to develop corresponding models of not yet intensively studied structures such as nucleus ruber, superior colliculus, or basal ganglia.

Divided into two convenient sections, Protein Kinase Technologies collects contributions from experts in the field examining recent methodologies and techniques generally applicable to protein kinase research as well as to individual protein kinases which require special attention in neuroscience. These chapters will not only be practical instructions useful for readers' daily work in setting up and performing research but also thought-provoking and enjoyable reviews of recent advancements of individual protein kinases in neuroscience. Written for the highly successful Neuromethods series, this work contains the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Authoritative and accessible, Protein Kinase Technologies seeks to foster cross-talk among investigators who study different protein kinases, and will also be beneficial for the entry of new investigators into this pivotal field.

The Mouse Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates is the most widely used and cited atlas of the mouse brain in print. It provides researchers and students with both accurate stereotaxic coordinates for laboratory use, and detailed delineations and indexing of structures for reference. The Compact 3rd edition is both a major revision and an expansion of previous compact editions. The 100 high resolution digital photographs of the coronal plane of section from the third full edition now complement the coronal drawings. The photographs of the sections and the intermediate sections are also provided on the accompanying CD. In addition, the compact version has a large introduction on stereotaxic surgery and the use of the atlas in the lab, as well as a number of panoramic simplified diagrams for student instruction. The Compact 3rd edition is in 8.5 x 11 format and is spiral bound suitable for positioning next to microscopes and cryotomes.
* Delineations of 100 coronal diagrams, as fully revised for the 3rd edition

* 100 coronal photographic plates produced from directly scanned very high resolution images of the biological sections (done at the Allen Institute)

* Beginner's guide with 25 pages on how to do stereotaxic surgery, how to use the atlas, including how to match experimental sections against the atlas plates (e.g. what features of the brain change gradually and can be used as guides to location)

* 3 sagittal, 5 coronal and 2 horizontal simplified overview diagrams for students

* Surface views of the brain with labels over the major structures

* Uses the best ontology tree (nomenclature based on the development of the brain) so farconstructed with universal application across mammals

* CD providing electronic versions of all diagrams and photographs in different resolutions for downloads

This volume aims to connect current ideas and concepts about GI disorders with the search for novel therapeutics. Towards this goal, authors provide a timely state-of-the-art overview of the GI tract in health and disease, current treatment approaches and ongoing developments in drug discovery, and their potential for the better treatment of patients with GI disorders.

This book offers the first detailed, comprehensible scientific presentation of Confabulation Theory, addressing a pressing scientific question: How does brain information processing, or cognition, work? With only elementary mathematics as a prerequisite, this book will prove accessible to technologists, scientists, and the educated public.

This book highlights the state of the field in the new, provocative line of research into the cognition and behavior of the domestic dog. Eleven chapters from leading researchers describe innovative methods from comparative psychology, ethology and behavioral biology, which are combined to create a more comprehensive picture of the behavior of Canis familiaris than ever before. Each of the book’s three parts highlights one of the perspectives relevant to providing a full understanding of the dog. Part I covers the perceptual abilities of dogs and the effect of interbreeding. Part II includes observational and experimental results from studies of social cognition – such as learning and social referencing – and physical cognition in canids, while Part III summarizes the work in the field to date, reviewing various conceptual and methodological approaches and testing anthropomorphisms with regard to dogs. The final chapter discusses the practical application of behavioral and cognitive results to promote animal welfare. This volume reflects a modern shift in science toward considering and studying domestic dogs for their own sake, not only insofar as they reflect back on human beings.

Since the early days, the field of neuropeptide biology has dramatically widened, and today the ultimate frontiers in neuropeptide research lie in the development of pharmacologically active compounds that are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to exert their biological role(s) in vivo and in the construction of genetic vectors to be employed in gene therapy. Neuropeptides: Methods and Protocols presents a readily reproducible collection of established and emerging techniques for neuropeptide research as contributed by expert researchers in the field. The detailed methods presented cover subjects such as immunocytochemical localization, biochemical characterization, functional analysis, development and production of genetic probes, and the design of neuropeptide derivatives for cellular neurobiology as well as the potential therapeutic applications. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easy to follow, Neuropeptides: Methods and Protocols is intended for a large audience of scientists, including histologists, biochemists, cellular and molecular biologists, and electrophysiologists that are currently active in the field or are willing to enter this exciting and still expanding area of neurobiology.