脳について私たちが理解していること…その背景にある歴史的進展に触れながら、脳とは何なのか、どんな機能を持つのかを解説します。そして脳が思考や記憶、知覚、行動に、どのように係わっているのか、という神経科学者にとっての課題を探ります。脳研究における成果と主な問題点をまとめたコンパクトな概説書です。(cf. The Brain: What Everyone Needs to Know)
  

• Short, clear discussion on the mechanical workings of the brain
• Covers the details of brain science in an accessible way
• Up to date coverage of developments of brain research
• Suggests directions future research might take
• Discusses many of the brain's actions that people wonder about, such as memories, perceptions, and motor control

 
How does the brain work? How different is a human brain from other creatures' brains? Is the human brain still evolving? 
  
In this fascinating book, Michael O'Shea provides a non-technical introduction to the main issues and findings in current brain research, and gives a sense of how neuroscience addresses questions about the relationship between the brain and the mind. Chapters tackle subjects such as brain processes, perception, memory, motor control and the causes of 'altered mental states'. A final section discusses possible future developments in neuroscience, touching on artificial intelligence, gene therapy, the importance of the Human Genome Project, drugs by design, and transplants.