August 30, 1995
Contact: Guy Lamolinara, Public Affairs (202) 707-9217
Sherry Levy-Reiner, Decade of the Brain Coordinator
(202) 707-1513
New Book Features Decade of the Brain Symposia Papers
Eleven papers from symposia cosponsored by the Library of
Congress and the National Institute of Mental Health of the
National Institutes of Health have been published in a new volume,
Neuroscience, Memory, and Language. The symposia were held to mark
the Decade of the Brain, proclaimed by President George Bush in
1990.
"Comprising both the collective memory of the human race and
the creativity that historically has characterized our society, the
Library of Congress reminds us that intelligent policy requires a
commitment to the intellectual life -- which today must include a
sharp focus on scientific scholarship," said James H. Billington,
the Librarian of Congress.
Nobel Laureate Gerald Edelman wrote in the new book, "A
knowledge of brain science will provide one of the major
foundations of the new age to come. That knowledge will spawn
cures for disease, new machines that are based on brain function,
further insights into our nature and how we know. There is no
better ground for hope in things human."
The volume describes current research into the brain's role in
learning, memory, and language and considers the relationship
between the physical brain and the workings of the mind.
Scientists have learned nearly 90 percent of what they know
about the brain in the past 10 years, thanks to revolutionary
advances in molecular biology, biomedical imaging, structural
chemistry, immunology, psychology and computer science.
The papers in Neuroscience, Memory, and Language describe --
in language aimed at the nonspecialist -- progress in understanding
brain functions and human behavior.
"The creative collaboration of the Library and the Institute
that is producing a series of fine presentations -- and now this
volume -- is an effective way to enhance the American people's
understanding of these scientific advances and the implications
they have in our daily lives," said Dr. Billington.
Neuroscience, Memory, and Language costs $26. It can be
ordered with MasterCard or Visa from the Superintendent of
Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; telephone:
(202) 512-1800; fax (202) 512-2250. Checks should be made payable
to the Superintendent of Documents. Be sure to include stock
number S/N 030-001-00149-1 with your order.
Members of the press may receive a review copy by calling
Sherry Levy-Reiner, Project Coordinator, Decade of the Brain, at
(202) 707-1513.
Table of Contents follows.
NEUROSCIENCE, MEMORY, AND LANGUAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface: James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, and
Frederick K. Goodwin, M.D., National Institute of Mental
Health
Foreword: "Decade of the Brain: The Challenge of Today for
Tomorrow," Richard D. Broadwell, University of Maryland
School of Medicine
Introduction: "Neuroscience: Past to Present," Lewis L. Judd,
M.D., University of California-San Diego; and Declan C.
Murphy, Library of Congress
Neuroscience and the Philosophy of the Mind
- "Bright Air, Brilliant Fire: Neurobiology and the Mind," Gerald
M. Edelman, M.D., Ph.D., Scripps Research Institute
- "Seeing the Brain in Action through Brain Imaging," Marcus E.
Raichle, M.D., Washington University School of Medicine
- "Some Relations Between Mind and Brain," John R. Searle, D.Phil.,
University of California-Berkeley
Learning and Memory
- "The Cellular Basis for Learning and Memory," Charles F. Stevens,
M.D., Ph.D., Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- "Neuronal Plasticity and Learning," Eric R. Kandel, M.D., and
Robert D. Hawkins, College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University
- "Memory and Brain Systems," Larry R. Squire, Ph.D., University of
California-San Diego
- "The Neural Basis of Memory in Humans," Antonio R. Damasio, M.D.,
University of Iowa College of Medicine
Language and the Brain
- "Clues to the Neurobiology of Language," Ursula Bellugi and
Gregory Hickok, Salk Institute for Biological Sciences
- "Functional Neuroimaging of Brain Areas Involved in Language,"
Steven E. Petersen, Ph.D., Washington University School of
Medicine
- "Investigating Language During Awake Neurosurgery," George
Ojemann, M.D., University of Washington School of Medicine
- "The Representation of Lexical Knowledge in the Brain," Alfonso
Caramazza, Ph.D., Dartmouth College
# # #
PR 95-120
8/30/95
ISSN 0731-3527