
Scotophobin
Darkness at the Dawn of the Search for Memory Molecules
Louis Neal Irwin(Author)
Hamilton Books (Publisher)
Published on 23. December 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-0-7618-3580-6 (ISBN)
Description
This book chronicles the apparent discovery of "memory molecules" in 1965, the loss of credibility that plagued those finding, and the subsequent triumphant discovery of the neuroactive peptides, including endorphins, which followed in their wake. The story is told in the context of the historical development of neuroscience as a field, with emphasis on research aimed at uncovering the brain mechanisms of learning and memory, roughly from 1950 to 1980, when the revolution in the scientific study of brain function was getting underway. A series of biographical vignettes paint the background and set the stage. Once introduced, the characters recur as their personal histories intertwine with the scientific story that unfolds. This seminal episode in the history of neuroscience flows smoothly for the lay reader as an engaging story of the clash between personalities, conventional wisdom, and unconventional explanations, supplemented by an essay with extensive documentation for the historian interested in this curious episode in the early years of neuroscience.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Publishing group
University Press of America
Dimensions
Height: 224 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
354 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7618-3580-6 (9780761835806)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Louis Neal Irwin is Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. He has written over seventy papers and reviews on the topics of neurobiology, astrobiology, and evolution. He is co-author of Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints.
Content
Part 1 List of Tables Part 2 Foreword Part 3 Preface Chapter 4 Prelude Chapter 5 Samson Chapter 6 Ungar Chapter 7 Progress Chapter 8 Climax Chapter 9 Dissolution Chapter 10 Addendum Part 11 References Part 12 Index