The Neurobehavioral Challenge
Four
pounds and several thousand miles of interconnected nerve cells (about 100
billion) control every movement, thought, sensation, and emotion that comprise
the human experience. Within the brain and spinal cord there are ten thousand
distinct varieties of neurons, trillions of supportive cells, a few more
trillion synaptic connections, a hundred known chemical regulating agents, miles
of minuscule blood vessels, axons ranging from a few microns to well over a foot
and a half in length, and untold mysteries of how—almost flawlessly—all
these components work together. This is the amazing brain.
Exploring the brain's anatomy, functional architecture, and
neurofunctional systems provides the foundation for appreciating the
neurobehavioral basis of ordinary daily functioning, creative processes,
expression of talents, adjusting to brain injury, and psychopathology.
Functional Neuroanatomy Resources
"Indeed, perhaps the most
important general observation that can be made about the brain is that its
anatomy is the most important thing about it." --Gerald
M. Edelman (Building a Picture of the Brain,
The Brain, G. M. Edelman and J.-P. Changeux, editors, Transaction
Publishers, 2001)
It is impossible to understand human behavior without some
level of understanding of the physical structure--the brain--that enables
behavior.
While a sense of the molar (general or large-scale) structure is essential for a
basic recognition of the master organ of the body, an appreciation of the
molecular (denser, inner-intricacies) provides foundation and insight to the
complex nuances of human behavior.
Functional neuroanatomy is the field that concerns itself with
linking function with brain structure, sometimes referred to as
behavioral neuroanatomy.
Here are some excellent printed resources for exploring
functional neuroanatomy.
Atlas of Functional Neuroanatomy, Walter J.
Hendelman, CRC Press, 2000. A supberb, detailed atlas with accompanying
CD-ROM with images.
Neuroanatomy: A Functional Atlas of Parts and
Pathways, Ray Poritsky, Hanley & Belfus, 1992. A coloring book
approach with mostly 2D drawings but some good 3D drawings, too.
Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable,
Michael Liebman, Aspen, 1986. The basics with atlas of drawings and CT
images.
Functional Neuroanatomy, Adel K. Afifi and
Ronald A. Bergman, McGraw-Hill, 1998. Goes well beyond neuroanatomy to
include extensive text descriptions of systems and pathways and the
functional and clinical associations. Contains and extensive atlas
of lateral, sagittal, and coronal sections through preserved specimens as
well as MRI images.
Functional Systems: 3D Reconstructions with
Correlated Neuroimaging, Hans-Joachim Kretschmann and Wolfgang
Weinrich, Thieme, 1998. An excellent collection of computer-rendered,
three-dimensional color pictures of brain systems. Provides an excellent
way to visualize the spatial relations on brain systems. Expensive but
worth it.
Neuroscience: Fundamentals for Rehabilitation,
Laurie Lundy-Ekman, Saunders, 1998. An excellent, colorful neuroanatomy
text with extensive relevant text for understanding clinical abnormalities
and treatment applications.
"Behavioral Neuroanatomy" by M. -Marsel
Mesulam in Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology, 2nd Edition,
by M.-Marsel Mesulam, Oxford University Press, 2000.
Brain Maps
The study of brain anatomy reveals incredible complexity.
The Brain Maps below provide schematic diagrams of the
organization and pathways of major brain divisions that may help in
learning functional neuroanatomy. These maps are in
Adobe Acrobat format and may be printed for personal use. (All maps print
in portrait orientation except for the main Brain Map: Major Divisions and
Pathways, which prints in Landscape orientation.) The maps can be used alongside brain models and anatomical drawings to help understand the
relationships among anatomical systems. The Maps may not
be used for commercial use without permission.
You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to access these
Brain Maps. If you do not have the Reader, you may acquire it fee from
Adobe by clicking the link below.
NOTE: The brain maps that follow are Copyright © 2000,
2001
by Dennis P. Swiercinsky, Ph.D. They are not to be disseminated in any
manner without prior written permission.
Main
Brain Map: Major Divisions and Pathways
Brain Map: Motor Pathways
Brain Map: Visual Pathways
Brain Map: Auditory Pathways
Brain Map: Somatosensory Pathways
Web Resources
The beauty of the brain lies in its incredible complexity. The
neuroscience challenge is to transform the mind boggling appreciation of the
central nervous system's complexity into manageable proportions. Here are sites that provide excellent tutorials, images, and diagrams for learning
about neuroscience and about brain anatomy.
