29 Best Books on Neuroscience

“Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read” Book Review: This book reveals the importance of reading. The secret logic of spelling is exposed in this book. It introduces important research on methods of processing languages. It helps the reader see the brain in a new light and learn its capacity to adapt. It explains the cognitive and neurological concepts in detail. It describes the ways neuronal recycling can account for literacy, its mechanisms in the brain, and its history. It also describes the mechanisms of reading in expert adults.

“Explorations in Learning and the Brain: On the Potential of Cognitive Neuroscience for Educational Science” Book Review: This book includes a brief review study of the potential relationships between cognitive neuroscience and educational science. The research in the book is done by order of the Dutch Programme Council for Educational Research of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.The review shows ways educational principles, mechanisms and theories can be extended based on findings from cognitive neuroscience, and the neuroscience principles, mechanisms or theories that may have implications for educational research and can lead to new interdisciplinary research ventures.

“Schools for All Kinds of Minds: Boosting Student Success by Embracing Learning Variation” Book Review: This textbook reveals different ways schools can develop proficiency in learning variation which is understanding how different kinds of minds learn and applying this knowledge to classroom instruction in order to address the chronic learning challenges and achievement gap different students face. It explains how different students’ learning strengths can be identified, this would enable plans to be made for the success of all students especially the ones that find school difficult. It provides guidelines on how school leaders can fit this knowledge into instructional practice and school-level policy through various professional development strategies.

“Making Sense of People: The Science of Personality Differences” Book Review: This book provides the reader with tips on understanding people they relate with regularly. It is based on substantial research on the subject. It presents readers with tools that help to understand people,how they really are and why they are that way. There are also guidelines to assist readers assess the tendencies, patterns,character and sense of identity of people around them in the book. The reader learns how to merge the tips and understand people’s personalities.

“Neuroscience for Learning and Development: How to Apply Neuroscience and Psychology for Improved Learning and Training” Book Review: This book describes the science behind creative training delivery. It is written in a style that makes grasping the information easier for readers and the learners that use the book would feel better about their training sessions. It contains tools, methods and ideas to help trainers improve their training. Uptodate scientific research behind multiple facets of training and learning are included. Tips for designing and delivering face to face, online and virtual learning, creating conducive environments for learning and differences between neuromyths and neuroscience are all contained in the book.

“Cognitive Psychology: Mind and Brain” Book Review: This book presents key concepts in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. It includes the uptodate progress in the neuroscience and cognitive psychology fields. New discoveries about the brain are also contained in the book so the readers can learn fundamental concepts in the subject. Readers are also able to learn about perception, attention, knowledge in long-term memory, encoding and retrieval from long-term memory, working memory, executive processes,emotion and cognition, decision Making, problem solving and reasoning, planning and motor cognition and language. Anybody interested in the field of cognitive psychology would find this book useful.

“Educational Neuroscience: Initiatives and Emerging Issues (Educational Philosophy and Theory Special Issues Book 26)” Book Review: This textbook presents a summary of the modern initiatives in educational neuroscience. It explores different systematic treats, matters and directions related to the subject. It motivates the reader to view educational neuroscience in interdisciplinary perspectives. Contributions from leading researchers study fundamental issues relating to educational neuroscience and mind, brain and education more generally. It explains theoretical and empirical concepts for the subject matter. It describes different techniques available to researchers.

“Programming the Brain: Educational Neuroscience Perspective” Book Review: This textbook presents the different methods of learning and the processes involved in making a better approach to education. It expounds on educational neuroscience and human development. Anyone interested in the different methods of learning would definitely find the book useful. It helps the readers to see their environment in a purposeful manner. It reveals the benefits of learning. It also shows the ways learning can be linked to our daily activities.

“Educational Neuroscience” Book Review: This textbook provides numerous readings from educators, psychologists and neuroscientists. It surveys the latest findings in developmental cognitive neurosciences and their possible applications to education. It reveals a modern research area with sure importance to present educational practices and policy making. It includes different chapters written cooperatively by educationalists, psychologists and neuroscientists to make sure there is utmost lucidity and importance to a lot of readers.

“Visual Cortex and Deep Networks” Book Review: Primates are believed to recognise objects through ventral visual streams. In recent years, scientists have tried to develop quantitative models that correspond to such biological architecture through deep convolutional neural networks without explaining the underlying physiology. This book develops the mathematical framework explaining the invariant representations in the ventral stream. It provides a thorough understanding of the ventral visual cortex which contains areas that process images in abstract ways and facilitate us to learn, recognize and categorise three-dimensional objects from arbitrary two-dimensional views. The author hypothesizes that the main computational function of the ventral stream is to compute neural representations of images. These are invariant to transformations encountered in the visual environment and are learned from unsupervised experience. After theorizing a general computational framework of invariance, the book then focuses on its application to the feedforward path of the ventral stream in the primate visual cortex.

“Dynamical Systems in Neuroscience – The Geometry of Excitability and Bursting (Computational Neuroscience)” Book Review: It is a handy book for neuroscience researchers since the dynamical system theory is often neglected in the graduate curriculum of computational neuroscience. It provides an introduction to nonlinear dynamical systems theory and its relation to electrophysiology and the computational properties of neurons. The book emphasizes that the information processing in the brain doesn’t depend only on the electrophysiological properties of neurons but also on their dynamical properties. Starting with basic concepts of one and two-dimensional Hodgkin-Huxley-type models, it further describes bursting systems. This way it provides the overview of neuroscience to Mathematicians who are interested in electrophysiology. The geometrical intuition developed beside mathematical concepts along with figures makes it equally suitable for non-mathematicians. For a better understanding, each chapter includes sample worked-out examples at the end.

“Computational Neuroscience: A First Course (Springer Series in Bio-/Neuroinformatics)” Book Review: It is a fundamental book of computational neuroscience which lays down the basics of modelling the nervous system at the membrane, cellular and network level. Its three fundamental domains, namely membrane biophysics, systems theory, and artificial neural networks are covered comprehensively. The required mathematical concepts are explained in an intuitive manner so as to make it approachable for people who do not have a background in higher mathematics. This book grew out of a lecture series designed for graduate students in neuroscience with backgrounds in biology, physiology, and medicine spanning over a decade. It serves as a reference guide for all the neuroscientists who use computational methods in the day-to-day task as well as for theoretical scientists who are advancing towards the field of computational neuroscience.

“Theoretical Neuroscience – Computational and Mathematical Modeling of Neural Systems (Computational Neuroscience Series)” Book Review: This book provides the quantitative basis of the functioning of the nervous system and lays down its general operational principle. Basic mathematical and computational methods of theoretical neuroscience are described in the book along with its application in vision, sensory-motor integration, development, learning, and memory. To make the subject material comprehensive, this volume is divided into three parts. Part I describes the relationship between sensory stimuli and neural responses. It focuses on the representation of information originating from the spiking activity of neurons. The modelling of neurons and neural circuits based on cellular and synaptic biophysics are covered in part II while part III deals with the role of plasticity in development and learning. Further, appendix at the end covers all the mathematical methods used throughout the book in detail. Exercises for better understanding of the material are available on the Book’s website.

“Introducing Epigenetics: A Graphic Guide” Book Review: Epigenetics is the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence. It explains how and why we inherit certain traits, develop diseases, age and evolve as a species. Covering one of the most exciting fields of biology today, this book introduces us to genetics, cell biology and the science behind epigenetics. It is an introductory guide to the technology which has enabled us to make unprecedented strides in medicine. Walking us through some examples like what identical twins teach us about the epigenetic effects of our environment and experiences, why certain genes are switched on and off at various age of embryonic development and how scientist have reversed the specialization of cells to clone frogs from a single gut cell, the author delves deeper into the structure of DNA and examine how the epigenetic building blocks and messengers that interpret and edit out genes makes us unique as a species.

“The Computing Dendrite (Springer Series in Computational Neuroscience)” Book Review: Neuronal dendritic trees enable cells to perform powerful computations and allow for high neural interconnectivity. With the recent advances in experimental techniques, we have gained a new perspective into these complex structures with unprecedented details. This Springer series book summarizes some of the cutting edge experimental, computational and mathematical investigations conducted to understand the functions of dendrites in different neural systems. This allows us to gain a broad perspective on the diversity of mechanisms that dendrite employs to shape neural computations. We first look into the morphological properties of dendrites whose characterization ranges from the study of fractal principles (to describe dendrite topologies) to the consequences of optimization principles for dendrite shape. The second part of the book focuses on the contribution of dendrites to the neural computations. It explains the effects of dendritic morphology and the distribution of synapses and membrane properties over the dendritic tree on the output to a neuronal stimulus.

“Biological Learning and Control – How the Brain Builds Representations, Predicts Events, and Makes Decisions (Computational Neuroscience Series)” Book Review: Our brain acquires essential surviving skills based on internal models that enable it to predict events and actions based on past observations. These models describe what should happen and then combine this prediction with inputs from the sensory system to form a belief. In this book, the authors lay down a novel theoretical framework for understanding the brain’s perception, its reaction to sensory stimuli and motor control. Despite biomechanical similarities among young and old, healthy and unhealthy, humans and other animals, there are certain variations in the brain’s motor commands. They are economic decisions made weighing effort and reward. The authors also argue that the brain prefers to receive a reward sooner than later and thus the value of reward depreciates with the passage of time. With this discounting change in reward, the shape of our movements also change. The concepts presented in the book describe the probable rationale for the regularity in our movement, our learning pattern and the ability of our brain to predict events.

“Natural Image Statistics: A Probabilistic Approach to Early Computational Vision. (Computational Imaging and Vision)” Book Review: Natural images are the photographs of the typical environment we live in. In this book, the natural images are explored through different statistical models whose parameters are estimated from image samples. Its main aim is to computationally model the biological visual system. This research also finds its application in Computer Science and Engineering where it helps in the development of better image processing and computer vision methods. Besides being an introductory textbook, it is also a research monograph on modelling the statistical structure of natural images, providing a unified view of different models and approaches. This theoretical framework considers that the properties of our visual system are essentially reflections of the statistical structure of natural images. This happens because of evolutionary adaptation processes.

“Fundamentals of Computational Neuroscience” Book Review: Computational neuroscience is a scientific discipline that concerns the theoretical study of the brain. It uncovers the principles and mechanisms guiding the development, organization and information processing in the nervous system. This book serves as an introductory text for this fascinating and complex topic for anyone interested in brain sciences. The readers are introduced to the theoretical foundation of neuroscience, focusing on the nature of information processing that happens inside the brain. ‘Fundamentals of Computational Neuroscience’, now in its second edition, introduces us to some of the simplified computational models of neurons. They are suitable for exploring how information is processed in large brain-like networks. We are also introduced to several fundamental network architectures related to this mechanism along with models that perform higher-order cognitive functions. Simple MATLAB programs have also been included to better understand the computational models explained in the book.

“Computational Neuroscience: Cortical Dynamics” Book Review: Cortical dynamics concerns the processing, transmission, and imprinting of information in the brain. It also constitutes important functions of the cortical area of the brain such as cortical rhythm, cortical neural plasticity, their structural basis and functional significance. This book serves as a reference text on models of cortical dynamics from a Neuroscience and Physics perspective. It contains the papers presented on cordial dynamics at the 8th edition of International Summer School held in Sicily, Italy. Compiling some of the most recent experimental and theoretical findings, this book aims at providing a high-level coverage of this field. It is divided into two sections. The first second lays down the fundamentals of cortical dynamics such as dynamics of storage and recall in memory networks, hierarchical organization of a central nervous system, etc. The second section explains some of the advanced mathematical models of cortical dynamics including mean-field methods, chaotic neuron dynamics, etc.

“The Design of Experiments in Neuroscience” by Mary E Harrington Book Review:
“You are going to begin an incredible experience. You will progress from finding out about science to turning into a researcher. Most understudies I know are both energized and dicey as they approach this progress. They might be thinking, “It sounds pretty cool to be a neuroscientist, however am I truly ready to think about my own investigations?” For some, their concept of a researcher is an animal absolutely dissimilar to themselves. In this book, I will address this self-question by clarifying the essentials of how this entire endeavor functions. You will actually want to get going on your experience with a comprehension of how to approach choosing a subject, planning an analysis, dissecting the outcomes, and distributing a paper. I love to offer guidance, so be sure that you will likewise get numerous proposals on the most proficient method to discover a tutor, what to zero in on in your preparation, and basic snares to keep away from. I have watched numerous understudies apply this foundation quickly as they take on temporary jobs in neuroscience research labs and dispatch their own vocations. Regardless of whether they end up as exploration researchers, doctors, general wellbeing laborers, or basically very much educated residents, the active experience of creating new logical information is one I think they all appreciate considering

“Ethical Issues in Behavioural Neuroscience” Book Review: Social neuroscience includes the orders of neurobiology and brain research to contemplate instruments of conduct. This volume gives a contemporary outline of the present status of how morals illuminate conducting neuroscience research. There is double emphasis on moral difficulties in trial creatures drawn near and in clinical and nonclinical research including human members.

“Neurological Control Systems” Book Review: This book provides a detailed overview on neurological control systems. It talks about functional organization of living systems. It describes how central problems arise from a multiplicity of closed loops. It deals only with formal neurons or those having greater similitude to real ones. It discusses how these may crack up or break into schizogenetic oscillation. This book is designed to focus on students and teachers in the field of science who deal with neurology on a daily basis.

“Nanotechnology and Neuroscience: Nano-electronic, Photonic and Mechanical Neuronal Interfacing” Book Review: This book contains the information about micro- and nanofabrication technologies. With the help of these technologies, we can develop improved tools for stimulating and recording electrical activity in neuronal networks. It provides an outline about different ways in which “nano world” can be used so that it can be beneficial for neuroscientists. It can be used to improve the mechanical adhesion of cells on electrodes, tight-sealed extracellular recordings or intracellular approaches. In order to develop micro and nanostructured tools for biological applications, discussion of fabrication strategies is included.

“Peripheral Neuropathy” Book Review: This book provides a detailed overview on peripheral neuropathy. It covers the neurobiology and diseases of the peripheral nervous system. It discusses neurobiology, clinical neurophysiology, molecular genetics, and clinical diagnosis and management. It lays emphasis on new information about cell biology, genetics, proteomics, clinical manifestations, and new treatments. It provides an authoritative and in-depth information on neurobiology and diseases of the peripheral nervous system.

“Multidisciplinary Tools for Investigating Synaptic Plasticity (Neuromethods)” Book Review: This book is written for introducing researchers to specific techniques that will help them address novel questions in synaptic plasticity at the lab bench. The author provides elaborate information on techniques and strategies used in probing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the nervous systems of vertebrate and invertebrate species. This book is divided into three sections. Topics like behavior, neural development, and synaptogenesis are included in this book. Other topics like cellular electrophysiological and optical methods for interrogating a diverse array of mechanistic issues and biochemical and genetic strategies for studying synaptic plasticity are also covered.

“Psychoneuroendocrinology: Brain, Behavior, and Hormonal Interactions” Book Review: The book intends to provide a succinct introduction to psychoneuroendocrinology research for practitioners and scientists. There are chapters divided into discrete sections to discuss each distinct era of inquiry. This approach provides a valuable historical overview of the early clinical formulations about each disease. The book reveals that some of the early postulations about patient attributes and disease consequences have been confirmed. It discusses the subjective assessment methods used in the early studies. The book is interesting to note which clinical impressions were able to withstand greater empirical rigor and which were not.

“Quantitative Neurophysiology (Synthesis Lectures on Biomedical Engineering)” Book Review: The volume is a supplementary text for a junior or senior level course in neuroengineering. It also serves for graduate students in engineering, physics or neuroscience. The book is for faculty interested in becoming familiar with the basics of quantitative neuroscience. The first chapter recaps the structure of the neuron and anatomy of the brain. The following chapters derive the theory of active and passive membranes, electrical propagation in axons and dendrites and the dynamics of the synapse. Also there is a separate chapter on introduction to modeling networks of neurons and artificial neural networks. The book addresses the recording and decoding of extracellular potentials. Finally, the volume has descriptions of a number of more advanced topics in neuroengineering. Throughout the text, homework and simulation problems are available at the end of each chapter. Moreover, the vocabulary is easy for students to read and communicate with other scientists and engineers working in neurosciences.

“Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction: Physiology and Behavior” Book Review: The subject of this book is neuroendocrinology. The major discussion is on the interactions between the two major integrative organ systems of animals-the endocrine and nervous systems. The text reflects a fusion of endocrinology and neurobiology. It mainly establishes the autonomy of chemical secretions in general and their independence from nervous control in particular.