"In its third internationally acclaimed edition, this textbook provides an unrivaled account of the basic foundations of molecular and cellular neurophysiology. For those of us who were inclined to believe that the unprecedented development of neuroscience made neurophysiology disposable, Constance Hammond proves us with conviction and elegance that this is just not the case!"-Dr. Robert Dantzer, Professor of Psychoneuroimmunology, Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "Unlike many other texts, chapters in this book are structured around the known neurophysiological facts. The author states the fact, gives simple explanations for why it is so, and when appropriate follows her discussion by in-depth analyses. Also unlike many other texts, the chapters are not built around the work of other people, and are not overburdened with references to published material. This style makes for a very fluid and self consistent read which should be of interest to neophytes and advanced students alike."-Jean-Marc Fellous, Professor Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Sciences, and Applied Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson "A particularly strong feature of the book is that most of the exposition is driven by data from original experiments, supplying many figures that offer a ready-made basis for lectures (figures are available on the instructor's website). In addition, appendices of many chapters provide further information about techniques or related topics (e.g. patch-clamping, fluorescence measurements, neurotransmitter identification) that is often not essential to understanding the physiology, but is extremely useful to the more interested or advanced student."-Jim Belanger, Department of Biology, West Virginia University "More than any similar volume that I have come across in recent years, this one has the potential of luring students of neuroscience and even students from other fields to build a career in neurophysiology."-György Buzsáki, M.D., Ph.D., Board of Governors Professor, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University "Constance Hammond has rewritten and updated most of the chapters, which gives a better homogeneity to the book. The figures are now in color and thereby easier to read. In summary, this book is a very precious and unique tool, ideal for students with a strong interest in neuroscience." -Jean-Francois Perrier, Institute of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark "This is an outstanding book that I will definitely recommend to my students." -Peter Somogyi, Oxford University, United Kingdom
Reviewer: Manuel Dujovny, MD (Wayne State University School of Medicine)
Description: This fourth edition of a book focusing on the cellular and molecular physiology of nerve cells incorporates 70 percent new or updated material. The previous edition was published in 2008.
Purpose: The purpose is to detail the neuron and the complex, interacting networks of the central nervous system.
Audience: The audience includes neurophysiologists, neurobiologists, and neurologists, as well as graduate students in neurophysiology.
Features: This is a well-organized book with 20 chapters grouped into four sections that cover neurons and neurotransmitter release, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, somato-dendritic processing and plasticity of postsynaptic potentials, and the hippocampal network. Individual chapters cover topics such as membrane potential, glutamate and GABA receptors, somato-dendritic processing potentials on passive properties of dendrites, and firing patterns of neurons. Interspersed throughout the book, there are 15 appendixes that describe neurobiological techniques and 350 illustrations.
Assessment: This is an excellent work on the cellular and molecular physiology of nerve cells. I would highly recommend it for universities, neuroscience libraries, and physiology departments.
