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The First Brain: The Neuroscience of Planarians
Planarians, a class of flatworm, are they possess the remarkable ability to regenerate lost body parts, including complete regeneration of the nervous system. If cut into pieces, each piece of the planarian can regenerate into a complete organism. They are also unique among invertebrates in that they display addiction-like behaviors to many drugs abused by humans. Because of these distinct neurological traits, the planarian is often used as an animal model in neurological research, being used most recently for developments in neuropharmacology.
The First Brain is a discussion of how planarians have been used in neuropharmacology, and what role they have played in scientific developments that have a high impact on our culture. Planarians have been the animal models for research in drug addiction, antidepressant development, and various other topics in biology, neurobiology, and even zoology. Pagán uses these flatworms as a framework to explore the history of biological research. The book provides accessible background information on how biomedical research is impacted by evolution, and defines neurobiology and neuropharmacology in ways that are easy to understand. At the same time, Pagán provides enough detail for the book to useful for scientists working in various subsections of biology.
The planarian has played a key role in the history biological, neuropharmacological, and zoological research, and has even made appearances in a few unexpected places in popular culture. Oné Pagán explores all these roles, and shows us why the planarian truly is one of the most extraordinary and influential organisms in scientific research today.
The First Brain is a discussion of how planarians have been used in neuropharmacology, and what role they have played in scientific developments that have a high impact on our culture. Planarians have been the animal models for research in drug addiction, antidepressant development, and various other topics in biology, neurobiology, and even zoology. Pagán uses these flatworms as a framework to explore the history of biological research. The book provides accessible background information on how biomedical research is impacted by evolution, and defines neurobiology and neuropharmacology in ways that are easy to understand. At the same time, Pagán provides enough detail for the book to useful for scientists working in various subsections of biology.
The planarian has played a key role in the history biological, neuropharmacological, and zoological research, and has even made appearances in a few unexpected places in popular culture. Oné Pagán explores all these roles, and shows us why the planarian truly is one of the most extraordinary and influential organisms in scientific research today.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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465 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2014
The First Brain is a non-fiction book examining the history of neuroscience, focusing on the role of planarian flatworms in scientific research.
Planarians are astonishing creatures. The nature of evolution is such that no species is static, remaining the same over long periods of time, and yet evolution is a bit of a drunken walk. In most cases, species stagger "forward" (in the loose sense of becoming more developed) but Natural Selection is fickle. In some cases, previously useful adaptations regress (like whales losing their hind legs). In others, a lack of specific naturally selective pressure allows a species to "wander aimlessly" remaining close to the form they had hundreds of millions of years ago. Such is the case with planarians. Their "primitive" eye, brain, nervous system and body structure provides us with a glimpse of how these remarkably complex organs we too share have evolved over the last billion years. Professor Pagan takes us on a fascinating journey looking at these tiny flatworms, with their remarkable ability to regenerate and their astonishing longevity. This book has got something for everyone, including details about a curious experiment with zombie planarians.
If you're looking for an informative, enjoyable, easy-to-read non-fiction book exploring the origins of the brain, then I highly recommend The First Brain: The Neuroscience of Planarians.
Planarians are astonishing creatures. The nature of evolution is such that no species is static, remaining the same over long periods of time, and yet evolution is a bit of a drunken walk. In most cases, species stagger "forward" (in the loose sense of becoming more developed) but Natural Selection is fickle. In some cases, previously useful adaptations regress (like whales losing their hind legs). In others, a lack of specific naturally selective pressure allows a species to "wander aimlessly" remaining close to the form they had hundreds of millions of years ago. Such is the case with planarians. Their "primitive" eye, brain, nervous system and body structure provides us with a glimpse of how these remarkably complex organs we too share have evolved over the last billion years. Professor Pagan takes us on a fascinating journey looking at these tiny flatworms, with their remarkable ability to regenerate and their astonishing longevity. This book has got something for everyone, including details about a curious experiment with zombie planarians.
If you're looking for an informative, enjoyable, easy-to-read non-fiction book exploring the origins of the brain, then I highly recommend The First Brain: The Neuroscience of Planarians.
March 18, 2022
I feel a little bit guilty about giving this book only three stars. It is a good book. It is a very good book. It is masterfully written for a reader not proficient in neuroscience and biochemistry - very easy reading for someone picking up a popular science book for the first time. The author writes in such a beautiful and humorous way that I cannot help but love him and his love for planarians reaches out to me. But... and it is a magnanimous but... the title of the book is pretty misleading. The subtitle 'The Neuroscience of Planarians' makes it sound as though it is a book all about, well... the neuroscience of planarians. However, almost half of the book is dedicated to explaining basic scientific concepts. Do not get me wrong, this is pretty great for a popular science book, but the title is just wrong. The book should either be doubled in length and planarians should be spoken about twice as much in lots of detail or the entire first half should be cut and it should turn itself into a beginner's guide to the neuroscience of planarians. Other than that, I love Oné Pagán's passion for his work and his humour; thus, I will not let this deter me from reading his other books.
February 24, 2021
An interesting pop science book on flatworms that is not particularly clear on its audience, but clearly written by a practicing scientist who genuinely loves his subject.
This makes it both slightly irritating and slower going than one would wish for but it does an excellent job nonetheless. At times it feels written for a bright child but the contents are rather, though appropriately advanced. It desperately needed a tighter editor.
Three stars feels very harsh but it is not a four star book.
This makes it both slightly irritating and slower going than one would wish for but it does an excellent job nonetheless. At times it feels written for a bright child but the contents are rather, though appropriately advanced. It desperately needed a tighter editor.
Three stars feels very harsh but it is not a four star book.
February 25, 2021
This was a nice read. Although a bit longer than it had too be. Sorry.
Too start off, the author begins by talking about neuroscience in general for quite a bit before jumping into Planarians. Theres nothing bad with that.
It just is important too keep this in mean in that this book is written for non academic purposes in that the author spends a large amount of the book explaining what neuroscience is, what is does and too a extend why it does this. The author wrote this targeted to those not specialized in his profession. So if you already know the basics of neuroscience its safe too say that you can skip portions of the book.
Further about the language of the book. This is easy day-to-day English with little jargon (which of course the author elaborates on its meaning) meaning its understandable for everyone. Just one language barrier I noticed: towards the end, the last chapter, which is the most complex in terms and informational, the language can get tricky from time to time especially when the author speaks about the various ion channels and other chemicals (no spoilers here). The author also jokes around from time to time in a informal tone which quickly catches the readers attention again. Oh did I mention pictures? There are some pictures in the book from Planarians all the way too funny pictures. The author really knows how too keep the topic engaging and his reader awake.
Lastly, looking at all this, would I recommend this book? Yes. This is a easy to understand read for those interested in Planarians or just neuroscience in general and its job in helping in the creation of medication of its benefits to understanding human behavior. Also a tip: this book seems to be available for a variety of University databases! (Thats where I got mine from - thanks law school). So if you are studying and want to save some money but are eager too read this book, a quick database search wont hurt.
Too start off, the author begins by talking about neuroscience in general for quite a bit before jumping into Planarians. Theres nothing bad with that.
It just is important too keep this in mean in that this book is written for non academic purposes in that the author spends a large amount of the book explaining what neuroscience is, what is does and too a extend why it does this. The author wrote this targeted to those not specialized in his profession. So if you already know the basics of neuroscience its safe too say that you can skip portions of the book.
Further about the language of the book. This is easy day-to-day English with little jargon (which of course the author elaborates on its meaning) meaning its understandable for everyone. Just one language barrier I noticed: towards the end, the last chapter, which is the most complex in terms and informational, the language can get tricky from time to time especially when the author speaks about the various ion channels and other chemicals (no spoilers here). The author also jokes around from time to time in a informal tone which quickly catches the readers attention again. Oh did I mention pictures? There are some pictures in the book from Planarians all the way too funny pictures. The author really knows how too keep the topic engaging and his reader awake.
Lastly, looking at all this, would I recommend this book? Yes. This is a easy to understand read for those interested in Planarians or just neuroscience in general and its job in helping in the creation of medication of its benefits to understanding human behavior. Also a tip: this book seems to be available for a variety of University databases! (Thats where I got mine from - thanks law school). So if you are studying and want to save some money but are eager too read this book, a quick database search wont hurt.
July 12, 2019
Excellent popular science (popsci) look at how science and brains work
I enjoyed this book. This is the second one I've read by Dr. Pagan and I loved them both. To me, this book is not just about the planarian brain - it is also about how science works. It’s about the commonality of life and it is about how our own brain works. There is, unsurprisingly, a lot of science in the book, all of which Pagan clearly explains. As with any great science book, there is a lot of history that gives context to current information. And Pagan manages to do all this with a good sense of humor. He comes across as the type of person with whom I would like to have a coffee or beer and chat. Kudos also to A.G. Pagan for the great illustrations. This book is not an esoteric work; it is meant for everyone and I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in science.
I enjoyed this book. This is the second one I've read by Dr. Pagan and I loved them both. To me, this book is not just about the planarian brain - it is also about how science works. It’s about the commonality of life and it is about how our own brain works. There is, unsurprisingly, a lot of science in the book, all of which Pagan clearly explains. As with any great science book, there is a lot of history that gives context to current information. And Pagan manages to do all this with a good sense of humor. He comes across as the type of person with whom I would like to have a coffee or beer and chat. Kudos also to A.G. Pagan for the great illustrations. This book is not an esoteric work; it is meant for everyone and I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in science.
August 3, 2018
Extremely low-yield.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews