The third edition of The Neuron provides a comprehensive first course in the cell and molecular biology of nerve cells. The first part of the book covers the properties of the many newly discovered ion channels that have emerged through mapping of the genome. These channels shape the way a single neuron generates varied patterns of electrical activity. Next are covered the molecular mechanisms that convert electrical activity into the secretion of neurotransmitter hormones at synaptic junctions between neurons. The second part of the book covers the biochemical pathways that are linked to the action of neurotransmitters and that can alter the cellular properties of neurons or sensory cells that transduce information from the outside world into the electrical code used by neurons. The final section reviews our rapidly expanding knowledge of the molecular facters that induce an undifferentiated cell to become a neuron, and then guide it to form appropriate synaptic connections with its partners. This section also focuses on the role of ongoing experience and activity in shaping these connections, and finishes with an account of mechanisms thought to underlie the phenomena of learning and memory. New for the Third Edition: This is a thoroughly revised and expanded edition (60 pages longer) and features a new 8-page, 4-color insert as well as the following changes: 1. The mapping of the human genome and that of other species has led to the discovery of numerous new proteins that regulate the excitability, development, and function of neurons. These have been incorporated into the new edition in nearly all of the chapters. 2. The first section of the book, which deals with neuronal excitability, has been reorganized to make it more readable for those students with less background in physical sciences. A new chapter has been added to this section to allow the incorporation of new information on ion channel structure and on the role of channel auxiliary proteins in modulating neuronal excitability. 3. A new chapter, "The Birth and Death of Neurons," has been added to the last section. In addition to covering new discoveries about the early development of neurons, this chapter describes the recent discovery that new neurons are continually being formed in certain parts of the adult mammalian brain. It also describes research on stem cells, which holds therapeutic potential for the repair of damaged or diseased brain tissue. 4. The use of imaging technologies in the study of the brain has expanded enormously in the past few years. The new edition describes some of these new approaches. Moreover, the introduction of full color plates now allows many new images to be presented in their original form.

There is one weird quality about the book, however: the authors have not directly referenced statements in the book, as you would expect to find in any good advanced textbook in a scholarly field. They have instead written a bibliography at the very end, consisting of "Recommended Reading" and "References" for each chapter. I am unsure what criteria they used to differentiate the two.

Other than this minor point however, it's a first rate buy. The authors deserve several pats on their backs.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:

Neuron details  Nov 26, 2000
The molecular biology of the neuron is considered, from its electrical properties, synapses, differentiation, axon pathfinding, to chapters concluding with behavior and memory. Well written and includes easy to follow schematic diagrams, this reference is suitable for the motivated general reader.

11 of 12 found the following review helpful:

Great book on all levels  Nov 16, 2000
"The Neuron" was a fantastic book to read. It served as a perfect mesh between a textbook and a novel. The book was written in plain english so anyone could enjoy it. The concepts discussed ranged from elementary to advanced which provided a nice progression to more complicated things. This book is a must read for anyone interested in neuroscience.