The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

Subject of the book is MR imaging in all kinds of diseases that may affect the skull and brain. Primary purpose of the book is to provide the reader with a descriptive as well as pictorial overview of MRI in the various pathologic processes. An important additional purpose is to explain how to make the best use of MRI if a particular disease is suspected. Extensive information on differential diagnosis will also be included.

The English Edition contains a few differences from the first ItaHan Edition, which require an explanation. Firstly, some imag es, especially some 3D reconstructions, have been modified in order to make them clearer. Secondly, in agreement with the Publisher, we have disowned one of our statements in the preface to the Italian Edition. Namely, we have now added a brief introductory text for each section, by way of explanation to the anatomical and physiological notes. This should make it easier for the reader to understand and refer to this Atlas. These differences derive from our experience with the previous edition and are meant to be an improvement thereof Hopefully, there will be more editions to follow, so that we may further improve our work and keep ourselves busy on lone some evenings. Finally, the improvements in this edition are a reminder to the reader that one should never purchase the first edition of a work. UAquila, January 2006 The Authors Preface to the Italian Edition I have been meaning to publish an atlas of neuroradiologic cranio-encephaHc anatomy for at least the last decade. Normal anatomy has always been of great and charming interest to me. Over the years, while preparing lectures for my students, I have always enjoyed lingering on anatomical details that today are rendered with astonishing realism by routine diagnostic ima ging.

This atlas presents normal imaging variations of the brain, skull, and craniocervical vasculature. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) have advanced dramatically in the past 10 years, particularly in regard to new techniques and 3D imaging. One of the major problems experienced by radiologists and clinicians is the interpretation of normal variants as compared with the abnormalities that the variants mimic. Through an extensive collection of images, this book offers a spectrum of appearances for each variant with accompanying 3D imaging for confirmation; explores common artifacts on MR and CT that simulate disease; discusses each variant in terms of the relevant anatomy; and presents comparison cases for the purpose of distinguishing normal findings from abnormalities. It includes both common variants as well as newly identified variants that are visualized by recently developed techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging and multidetector/multislice CT. The book also highlights normal imaging variants in pediatric cases. Atlas of Normal Imaging Variations of the Brain, Skull, and Craniocervical Vasculature is a valuable resource for neuroradiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and radiologists in interpreting the most common and identifiable variants and using the best methods to classify them expediently.

This open access book offers an essential overview of brain, head and neck, and spine imaging. Over the last few years, there have been considerable advances in this area, driven by both clinical and technological developments. Written by leading international experts and teachers, the chapters are disease-oriented and cover all relevant imaging modalities, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The book also includes a synopsis of pediatric imaging. IDKD books are rewritten (not merely updated) every four years, which means they offer a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in imaging. The book is clearly structured and features learning objectives, abstracts, subheadings, tables and take-home points, supported by design elements to help readers navigate the text. It will particularly appeal to general radiologists, radiology residents, and interventional radiologists who want to update their diagnostic expertise, as well as clinicians from other specialties who are interested in imaging for their patient care.

This e-book will review special features of the cerebral circulation and how they contribute to the physiology of the brain. It describes structural and functional properties of the cerebral circulation that are unique to the brain, an organ with high metabolic demands and the need for tight water and ion homeostasis. Autoregulation is pronounced in the brain, with myogenic, metabolic and neurogenic mechanisms contributing to maintain relatively constant blood flow during both increases and decreases in pressure. In addition, unlike peripheral organs where the majority of vascular resistance resides in small arteries and arterioles, large extracranial and intracranial arteries contribute significantly to vascular resistance in the brain. The prominent role of large arteries in cerebrovascular resistance helps maintain blood flow and protect downstream vessels during changes in perfusion pressure. The cerebral endothelium is also unique in that its barrier properties are in some way more like epithelium than endothelium in the periphery. The cerebral endothelium, known as the blood-brain barrier, has specialized tight junctions that do not allow ions to pass freely and has very low hydraulic conductivity and transcellular transport. This special configuration modifies Starling's forces in the brain microcirculation such that ions retained in the vascular lumen oppose water movement due to hydrostatic pressure. Tight water regulation is necessary in the brain because it has limited capacity for expansion within the skull. Increased intracranial pressure due to vasogenic edema can cause severe neurologic complications and death.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides disability compensation to veterans with a service-connected injury, and to receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a veteran must submit a claim or have a claim submitted on his or her behalf. Evaluation of the Disability Determination Process for Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans reviews the process by which the VA assesses impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury for purposes of awarding disability compensation. This report also provides recommendations for legislative or administrative action for improving the adjudication of veterans' claims seeking entitlement to compensation for all impairments arising from a traumatic brain injury.

Historical remarks -- The cerebral architecture -- Cranial-cerebral relationships applied to microneurosurgery

This book provides an in-depth review of the sutures of the skull. The premature closure of the sutures of the skull (craniosynostosis) due to genetic or metabolic etiologies results in typical progressive skull deformity, due to both the inhibition of growth caused by the affected cranial suture and associated compensatory expansion of the skull along the open ones. Today, it is well known that early diagnosis of craniosynostosis is crucial for the best surgical outcomes and for the normal development of the brain and cosmetic appearance of the skull. As such, in addition to the anatomy, biology, genetics and embryology of the sutures of the skull, the book also covers the diagnosis and treatment of different forms of craniosynostosis such as metopism, and animal models for cranial suture research. This comprehensive work is a valuable resource for neuroscientists at all levels, from graduate students to researchers, as well as neurosurgeons, neuroanatomists, pediatricians, and neurologists seeking both basic and more advanced information on the unique structure of the sutures of the human skull.