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Neurobiology
This widely used and highly praised textbook has been extensively revised to reflect the most exciting research across the entire range of neuroscience. A new feature is an introductory discussion of the mechanisms of gene regulation, while the superfamily of molecules responsible for membrane signaling is given new emphasis as a unifying theme throughout molecular and cellular neurobiology. The roles of these molecules in impulse conduction and synaptic transmission are fully explained, and illustrated by computer models. For the first time in a neurobiology text, these mechanisms can be explored by using a state-of-the-art interactive computer program provided with an accompanying tutorial handbook. In the sections dealing with neural systems, the comparative approach continues to be used to illustrate general principles. Students learn about the progress being made toward a molecular basis for sensory perception and new methods for revealing the neural activity underlying
sensory and motor functions are described. There is an emphasis on the plasticity of both sensory and the motor circuits in mediating functions that reflect the effects of activity or recovery from injury. Central systems continue to be featured as the culmination of neural evolution. These include the systems vital for all animals, such as sleeping, feeding and reproduction, as well as the systems for language, emotion and higher cognitive functions that reach their peak in humans. There is special emphasis on recent work on memory, contrasting the mechanisms for short-term working memory and long-term memory and summarizing the present understanding of the mechanisms of long-term potential. The twin themes of organizational levels and comparative systems help bring together the vast range of studies and provides a conceptual framework that unifies the field of neurobiology. As in previous editions, the text continues to draw on the advantages of having a single author. In
addition, leaders in a number of specialties have assisted the author, so that the text represents the most up-to-date views of current research on the nervous system.
sensory and motor functions are described. There is an emphasis on the plasticity of both sensory and the motor circuits in mediating functions that reflect the effects of activity or recovery from injury. Central systems continue to be featured as the culmination of neural evolution. These include the systems vital for all animals, such as sleeping, feeding and reproduction, as well as the systems for language, emotion and higher cognitive functions that reach their peak in humans. There is special emphasis on recent work on memory, contrasting the mechanisms for short-term working memory and long-term memory and summarizing the present understanding of the mechanisms of long-term potential. The twin themes of organizational levels and comparative systems help bring together the vast range of studies and provides a conceptual framework that unifies the field of neurobiology. As in previous editions, the text continues to draw on the advantages of having a single author. In
addition, leaders in a number of specialties have assisted the author, so that the text represents the most up-to-date views of current research on the nervous system.
776 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 10, 2025
A TEXTBOOK SUMMARIZING A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION
Gordon Murray Shepherd (1933-2022) was an American neuroscientist who was a professor of neuroscience at Yale University.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1994 book, “The field of neurobiology continues its extraordinary growth, borne on waves of new technology; stimulated by new insights into the brain, mind, and behavior; and motivated by the increasing relevance of basic research to relief of human suffering from nervous and mental diseases… This edition emphasizes two of the major themes in current neurobiology, the roles of ‘synapses’ and of ‘active membrane properties’ in shaping the input/output function of neurons and neural networks… A second new area of emphasis in this edition is DEVELOPMENT. Increasingly the analysis of neuron organization is focusing on how it arises as development proceeds… A third area of emphasis is ‘plasticity.’ Just as an organization arises out of development, so does it exhibit remarkable abilities to be molded by activity and to recover from injury.” (Pg. vii-viii)
He states in the Introduction, “We thus see that behavior emerges out of the coordinated activity of a hierarchy of functional units… There is a further implication that a functional unit can be understood only within the context of the behavior that it mediates. Thus, no matter how complex a neural circuit may appear, we can be confident that it is designed to mediate specific naturally occurring behaviors. The same principle must apply, no matter how deeply one delves into the hierarchy of organizational levels, even down to the individual molecule gating a flow of ions. We may summarize this principle with the proposition that 'Nothing in neurobiology makes sense except in the light of behavior.’” (Pg. 9)
He asserts, “Sir Arthur Eddington, the British astronomer, once remarked that ‘You cannot believe in astronomical observations before they are confirmed by theory.’ Much the same applies to the experiments we do in biology: we can begin to believe in results only if we have an adequate grasp of the theories that seek to explain the nature of the systems we study.” (Pg. 67)
He explains, “most neurons have an extensive somadendritic surface and a complex branching geometry, which provide multiple sites for local processing of synaptic and active properties. In this view, the neuron is not one node but many; it is itself an extensive computational system, equivalent in computer terms to an integrated, multi-function chip. Incorporating this rich complexity into network simulations of neural circuits is one of the greatest challenges facing theoretical neuroscience today.” (Pg. 157)
He notes, “The first step in building a nervous system is to generate nerve cells. An important rule that applies, with few exceptions, is that neurons once generated cannot be replaced; in this regard the nervous system differs from the liver, skin, or immune system, and resembles other more highly differentiated organs like the heart and lungs. Why should this be? One possibility is that complex organisms, particularly mammals and primates, need stable populations of neurons to preserve learned behaviors and memories in their functional networks over decades of life… This rule means that the determination of whether a cell is to become a neuron, and what type of neuron in which part of the nervous system, must be completed, once and for all, relatively early in development.” (Pg. 200)
He says, “From an evolutionary point of view it is convenient to start our study of sensory systems with the chemical senses. The first organisms to emerge from the primordial brine defined themselves as organisms by the degree to which they could sustain their own metabolism, and this required the ability to sense the appropriate nutritive constituents in their environment. The chemical senses are thus among our most primitive; on the other hand, they provide us with (as well as with our animal cousins) with some of our most powerful experiences.” (Pg. 247)
He acknowledges, “the enthusiasm of neuroscientists must always be tempered by the reminder that identifying the neural basis for a specific behavior is one of the most difficult challenges in all biology… the history of endeavors in this area is a record of many deceptions and discouragements, because of the complexities of the systems and the difficulties in applying experimental methods…” (Pg. 515)
He reports, “For many years, it has been known that psychological stress has a depressive influence on the immune system. In studies of people bereaved by the death of a spouse, or suffering severe depression, it has been shown that there is suppression of lymphocytic stimulus. Animal experiments support these findings; rats subjected to stressful situations, such as restraining apparatus or tail shocks, also have reduced lymphocytic responses to antigen or mitogen injections.” (Pg. 520)
He admits, “The neurobiological study of these three types of emotions [emotional actions; emotional expressions; inner emotions or subjective feelings] has been rather limited. On the one hand, most complex behaviors are simply too complex to analyze, particularly when their emotional component is not obvious. On the other hand, our inner emotions are known only to ourselves. Most scientists rule out such subjective phenomena as objects of scientific study. This leaves us with only emotional expression as the type of emotion that is observable and amenable to precise analysis.” (Pg. 603-604)
He suggests, “Although short-term, working, memory is found in most mammals, it appears to be especially highly developed in humans. There is increasing evidence that it may be a critical factor in the evolution of human intelligence. It is closely linked to the evolution of language. When you converse with someone, you are using working memory to hold ‘on line’ the other person’s speech in segments of several seconds to scan the words and obtain their meaning, while continuing to receive the next segment of words for subsequent scanning. Some feel that this close association of working memory and language may come the closest to defining the special basis for human intelligence.” (Pg. 677)
He points out, “The left hemisphere [of the brain] is dominant for control of speech, language, complex voluntary movement, reading, writing, and arithmetic calculations. The right hemisphere is specialized for mainly nonlinguistic functions: complex pattern recognition in vision, audition, and the tactile senses; the sense of space, spatial shapes, and direction in space; the sense of intuition… There have been many attempts to read a lot into these differences, such as the idea that the left hemisphere is scientific whereas the right is artistic… No matter how one characterizes the two hemispheres, it is important to realize that neither one is ‘dominant’ in the absolute sense; each constellation of functions is of adaptive value, and the human brain attempts to optimize both by letting the hemispheres specialize in these two directions. “ (Pg. 679)
This is obviously a ‘textbook’ but it may nevertheless be interesting reading for those studying the biology of the brain.
Gordon Murray Shepherd (1933-2022) was an American neuroscientist who was a professor of neuroscience at Yale University.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1994 book, “The field of neurobiology continues its extraordinary growth, borne on waves of new technology; stimulated by new insights into the brain, mind, and behavior; and motivated by the increasing relevance of basic research to relief of human suffering from nervous and mental diseases… This edition emphasizes two of the major themes in current neurobiology, the roles of ‘synapses’ and of ‘active membrane properties’ in shaping the input/output function of neurons and neural networks… A second new area of emphasis in this edition is DEVELOPMENT. Increasingly the analysis of neuron organization is focusing on how it arises as development proceeds… A third area of emphasis is ‘plasticity.’ Just as an organization arises out of development, so does it exhibit remarkable abilities to be molded by activity and to recover from injury.” (Pg. vii-viii)
He states in the Introduction, “We thus see that behavior emerges out of the coordinated activity of a hierarchy of functional units… There is a further implication that a functional unit can be understood only within the context of the behavior that it mediates. Thus, no matter how complex a neural circuit may appear, we can be confident that it is designed to mediate specific naturally occurring behaviors. The same principle must apply, no matter how deeply one delves into the hierarchy of organizational levels, even down to the individual molecule gating a flow of ions. We may summarize this principle with the proposition that 'Nothing in neurobiology makes sense except in the light of behavior.’” (Pg. 9)
He asserts, “Sir Arthur Eddington, the British astronomer, once remarked that ‘You cannot believe in astronomical observations before they are confirmed by theory.’ Much the same applies to the experiments we do in biology: we can begin to believe in results only if we have an adequate grasp of the theories that seek to explain the nature of the systems we study.” (Pg. 67)
He explains, “most neurons have an extensive somadendritic surface and a complex branching geometry, which provide multiple sites for local processing of synaptic and active properties. In this view, the neuron is not one node but many; it is itself an extensive computational system, equivalent in computer terms to an integrated, multi-function chip. Incorporating this rich complexity into network simulations of neural circuits is one of the greatest challenges facing theoretical neuroscience today.” (Pg. 157)
He notes, “The first step in building a nervous system is to generate nerve cells. An important rule that applies, with few exceptions, is that neurons once generated cannot be replaced; in this regard the nervous system differs from the liver, skin, or immune system, and resembles other more highly differentiated organs like the heart and lungs. Why should this be? One possibility is that complex organisms, particularly mammals and primates, need stable populations of neurons to preserve learned behaviors and memories in their functional networks over decades of life… This rule means that the determination of whether a cell is to become a neuron, and what type of neuron in which part of the nervous system, must be completed, once and for all, relatively early in development.” (Pg. 200)
He says, “From an evolutionary point of view it is convenient to start our study of sensory systems with the chemical senses. The first organisms to emerge from the primordial brine defined themselves as organisms by the degree to which they could sustain their own metabolism, and this required the ability to sense the appropriate nutritive constituents in their environment. The chemical senses are thus among our most primitive; on the other hand, they provide us with (as well as with our animal cousins) with some of our most powerful experiences.” (Pg. 247)
He acknowledges, “the enthusiasm of neuroscientists must always be tempered by the reminder that identifying the neural basis for a specific behavior is one of the most difficult challenges in all biology… the history of endeavors in this area is a record of many deceptions and discouragements, because of the complexities of the systems and the difficulties in applying experimental methods…” (Pg. 515)
He reports, “For many years, it has been known that psychological stress has a depressive influence on the immune system. In studies of people bereaved by the death of a spouse, or suffering severe depression, it has been shown that there is suppression of lymphocytic stimulus. Animal experiments support these findings; rats subjected to stressful situations, such as restraining apparatus or tail shocks, also have reduced lymphocytic responses to antigen or mitogen injections.” (Pg. 520)
He admits, “The neurobiological study of these three types of emotions [emotional actions; emotional expressions; inner emotions or subjective feelings] has been rather limited. On the one hand, most complex behaviors are simply too complex to analyze, particularly when their emotional component is not obvious. On the other hand, our inner emotions are known only to ourselves. Most scientists rule out such subjective phenomena as objects of scientific study. This leaves us with only emotional expression as the type of emotion that is observable and amenable to precise analysis.” (Pg. 603-604)
He suggests, “Although short-term, working, memory is found in most mammals, it appears to be especially highly developed in humans. There is increasing evidence that it may be a critical factor in the evolution of human intelligence. It is closely linked to the evolution of language. When you converse with someone, you are using working memory to hold ‘on line’ the other person’s speech in segments of several seconds to scan the words and obtain their meaning, while continuing to receive the next segment of words for subsequent scanning. Some feel that this close association of working memory and language may come the closest to defining the special basis for human intelligence.” (Pg. 677)
He points out, “The left hemisphere [of the brain] is dominant for control of speech, language, complex voluntary movement, reading, writing, and arithmetic calculations. The right hemisphere is specialized for mainly nonlinguistic functions: complex pattern recognition in vision, audition, and the tactile senses; the sense of space, spatial shapes, and direction in space; the sense of intuition… There have been many attempts to read a lot into these differences, such as the idea that the left hemisphere is scientific whereas the right is artistic… No matter how one characterizes the two hemispheres, it is important to realize that neither one is ‘dominant’ in the absolute sense; each constellation of functions is of adaptive value, and the human brain attempts to optimize both by letting the hemispheres specialize in these two directions. “ (Pg. 679)
This is obviously a ‘textbook’ but it may nevertheless be interesting reading for those studying the biology of the brain.
November 15, 2020
Used an earlier version of this as textbook for one of my 300-level neuro classes in college. Clearly explained, recommended.
March 15, 2017
Google books calls the original publication (1983) "highly acclaimed." Back in my wannabee neurosurgeon days, I ate this up!
June 29, 2012
I read this textbook way back in 1995 or so, and it was seminal in my dissertation work. The text is clear and concise, and all the neurotransmitter systems are clearly detailed, with some considerations of behavioral implications. One has to have a compendium like this to understand the basis of cognition and memory formation, and this was a fine effort. I would wager, however, that the text needs some serious updating!
August 13, 2008
I read this in an attempt to figure out what's wrong with me. The attempt failed. I learned a lot from reading this though the chemistry was over my head. Should I learn more about chemistry, I'll reread this.
February 10, 2013
A very dense book with a wealth of knowledge, very directly written, with good illustrations. It assumes the reader is well versed in biological and chemical nomenclature.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews