The Scientific American Brave New Brain: How Neuroscience, Brain–Machine Interfaces, Neuroimaging, Psychopharmacology, Epigenetics, the Internet, and ... and Enhancing the Future of Mental Power

Lightning–quick advances in neuroscience are bringing amazing treatments and startling predictions of what we can expect to both better and boost our brains. This remarkable book reveals what lies ahead over the next few decades and what exists now in brain treatments with biochemistry, drugs, computers, electrical treatments, stem cells, brain chips, and gene manipulation and the legal, ethical, and moral fallout of all this change and progress.

The Scientific American Brave New Brain explains how our brains make new neurons and what we have to do to keep them, tells how our very thoughts and feelings can change our brains and our genes, and introduces the tremendous promises of nanomedicine the science of the unimaginably small.

Today, brain pacemakers control tremors and seizures; tomorrow, advances in biochemistry and bioengineering could make Alzheimer′s, brain damage, and perhaps even mental retardation preventable, curable, and reversible. Microchips in the brain could enhance memory, restore mental functions, store data, and even control our cell phones.

Bionic or biological spare brain parts that now restore hearing and give sight to the blind could restore movement to the paralyzed and give the healthy super powers. Brain surgery may be rare, thanks to nanomedicine, and brain scans will identify mental illness and brain disease before symptoms show, “read” minds, and predict and control behavior.

This comprehensive and entertaining look at the wonders in your brain′s very near future is written and edited by Judith Horstman, based on the newest research and articles from Scientific American and Scientific American Mind magazines.

“In The Scientific American Brave New Brain Judith Horstman takes us on a delightful and hopeful tour of the near–future of neuroscience and how we can all benefit.”
Daniel Goleman, author, Emotional Intelligence

“Judith Horstman′s newest book is a gift of fascinating, useful information on how to understand and optimize the most important organ in your body. She also shows you the future of brain science and how it will enhance our lives, along with some of the pitfalls. The book is beautifully written, accessible, and important. I highly recommend it.”
Daniel G. Amen, MD, author, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body

“This excellent book is about wonder. Judith Horstman gathers all the latest research on the brain and gazes into the future to see the fascinating ways our lives will be changed by the neuroscience of tomorrow.”
R. Douglas Fields, author, The Other Brain

“All curious brains will enjoy this book very much: it′s a clear, useful, and entertaining guide to the latest research concerning the brain and how we may be protecting and boosting it in the near future.”
Kim Stanley Robinson, best–selling author, Galileo′s Dream