Understanding Disorders of the Brain

By: Sandy Neargarder, The Great Courses

Narrated 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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Informative

This is a great course on clinical neuroscience. The lecturer is very knowledgeable and engaging. Will re-read again.

Alzheimer's and Dementia

If you're really interested in the various forms and varients of Alzheimer's and Dementia, this is the lecture series for you. There is à little discussion on Downs syndrome and Parkinson's Disease, but more than half is Alzheimer's and Dementia related.