Understanding Disorders of the Brain

by Sandy Neargarder

The brain is a complex and mysterious organ. When everything goes right, it is a finely tuned machine that serves as our body’s central processing unit. But like computers on the fritz, things occasionally go haywire in the brain, and the effects can be absolutely crushing. What happens when things go wrong?

The fields of psychology, neuroscience, and—more recently—neuropsychology are developing rapidly, offering more clues to unlocking the secrets of the brain. In the century and a half since railroad worker Phineas Gage’s famous injury, scientists have mapped out the anatomy of the anatomy of the brain and examined the pathology of disorders ranging from autism to Alzheimer’s.

Now you can delve into the exciting world of brain science. Understanding Disorders of the Brain gives you an in-depth analysis of what can go wrong inside our central processing unit. Taught by esteemed Professor Sandy Neargarder, these 24 eye-opening lessons survey some of the most common, and not-so-common, disorders that disrupt the many ways our brains function.

Professor Neargarder explores what we know about diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and more. She digs into the wiring of individuals with dyslexia, people prone to epileptic seizures, and those suffering from mitochondrial diseases. And she analyzes the effects of traumas ranging from athletic head injuries to strokes.

For each disorder, she walks through the genetic and environmental factors that underlie the pathology, shares insight about the signs and symptoms to look out for, and looks at the latest research on treatment and cures. Building a better understanding of these disorders can help us minimize our risk factors, recognize symptoms, and ensure the best course of action for ourselves and those we love.

Science has come a long way in solving the mysteries of the human brain, but we still have a long way to go. Understanding Disorders of the Brain is a powerful introduction to the journey of brain science in the 21st century and an excellent addition to your lifelong learning library.

*Listening Length is 11 hours and 32 minutes

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Psychology, Medical, Disability

12 pages, Audible Audio

Published June 17, 2022

Reviews

[Ivy-Mabel Fling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very informative but certainly not for novices like me. I learnt some interesting facts, particularly from the second half of the course (on illnesses I knew more about), but to fully appreciate it, I would have needed to understand the structure and workings of the brain much better. I think it might be wise to simplify the course as those who would understand all the complex terms probably would not need the information provided.

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in Mental Health this is a well researched, informative lecture series about the human brain, what it can do, and when what it does seems baffling, read by the author this is a very pleasant educational listen with advice and tips from an expert.
Thank you for your collected words and eloquent narration Sandy Neargarder, much appreciated. :-)

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lecture series and as things go it’s fairly basic. It’s a good overview but I found it lacking in depth on many subjects. Still, I learned a few new things and it got me thinking so overall worth it.