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