The First Brain

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART I - FUNDAMENTALS Chapter 1. Science Science does not exist Reductionism, its advantages and limits On theories and Theories Evolution and Life Chapter 2. Biomedical Research Biochemistry and cell biology lite How we classify life Animal models and biomedical research Basic or fundamental research? PART II - THE SCIENCE OF THE BRAIN Chapter 3. An introduction to neuroscience Neuroscience or neurobiology? Neurons The Spaniard and the Italian Excitable cells and electrophysiology Synapses and chemical neurotransmission Is a nervous system absolutely necessary for survival? Plant Neurobiology Chapter 4. The human brain What exactly is a brain? The human brain and nervous system A brief history of what people thought of their brains The complexity of the human brain / On really BIG numbers Chapter 5. Some brief thoughts on pharmacology What is pharmacology? Psychopharmacology, plant style Animal models in pharmacology PART III - PLANARIANS Chapter 6. Planarians What is a flatworm? Flatworm evolution and fossil records What is a planarian? Early works on planarians (1700-1800s) Planariologists: Three "personal" connections Chapter 7. Planarians in modern biology Genetics First they liked planarians then they didn't Sages of regeneration Of planarians and genomes Chapter 8. Planarians in the popular culture: The arts, science fiction, fantasy and humor Planarians in the popular culture Planaria: Poem by Dr. Lance Larsen Planarian man Planaria and the new Battlestar Galactica Fringe Twilight The Big Bang Theory Dr. Who Planarian humor PART IV - THE FIRST BRAIN Chapter 9. The first brain Early, really early nervous systems The first hunters The first brain Why are planarians an excellent animal model in neuroscience? Very brief comments on protopsychology Chapter 10. From corals and plants to planarians and rats Planarians in pharmacology: nicotine and cocaine The beginnings of systematic planarian pharmacology research The Temple University team The joy of discovery From corals and plants to planarians and rats Planarian research translated to vertebrates: What does it mean, and what it doesn't What can the planarian brain teach us about our own? EPILOGUE REFERENCES - BOOKS REFERENCES - ARTICLES