Brain Imaging Handbook

Whether the reader is searching for a primer on brain imaging for a college-level course or basic understanding which is needed, there's no better place to start than with Dr. Bremner's Brain Imaging Handbook. From the basics of film imaging and different kinds of brain imaging devices to the use of imaging in both psychiatry and physical health, Brain Imaging Handbook provides an in-depth review of the techniques and application of the science to diagnostic processes of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Mental health care providers and students alike will benefit from Dr. Bremner's background in radiology and psychiatry, and from a clear discussion packed with color brain imaging results. I would highly recommend this book as essential readng for the professional as well as those interested in the subject of brain imaging.

There's much to like in this richly produced guide, even for a layperson like me, who has slim odds of understanding even a quarter of the concepts explained therein. For professionals in the field, Brain Imaging Handbook provides an excellent, in-depth, practical introduction to neuroimaging. First, I applaud Dr. Bremner's goal in writing the book, as stated in the preface: "Neutrons, photons, relaxation times, and Fourier transforms - you can't open a journal in the field of psychology and psychiatry these days without being swamped with these types of terms. We in the mental health field have been trying to put our heads in the sand wince the time of Freud, but now it is time to face the facts: If you don't have a basic concept of neurobiology of mental disorders, you don't have a comprehensive handle on mental disorders. And how do we learn about the neurobiology of mental disorders? With brain imaging. That is why the field of brain imaging has invaded and taken the leading edge of our profession. This even took most of us by surprise but, now that it has occurred, we need to catch up." As a physician double-trained in psychiatry and nuclear medicine, Dr. Bremner offers rare insight to help mental healthcare providers understand these new concepts that will, we hope, inform their practices. The layperson, too, will gain new appreciation for the conditions that affect their loved ones or themselves. (When it comes to those reluctant to accept the actual, brain-based challenges of psychiatric conditions, sometimes a picture does speak a thousand words.) And all readers will be fascinated to learn more about such things as the "functional correlates of normal learning and cognition" - for example, the brain areas associated with our visual, auditory, sensory, and olfactory senses. Second, I admire the high production values in this book, which gently lure even the most neuroscience-skittish reader. Specifically, * beautiful, coated stock * ample illustrations (four-color brain images, nicely detailed drawings, charts, etc.) * informative captions for the illustrations * well-chosen typography * manageable size - 6 x 9-inch, 193 pages, with airy margins and gutter Third, the chapters are tightly focused, with plenty of subheads. For example, Chapter 4 is titled Childhood Onset Disorders (with subheads Autism, ADHD, Childhood-onset Schizophrenia, Dyslexia, Anorexia Nervosa, OCD, Anxiety and Mood Disorders) Clear, concise, and accessible, this is a valuable contribution to the libraries of researchers, clinicians, and students as well as laypersons who are interested in this burgeoning field of study. Gina Pera

If it's a primer on brain imaging for a college-level course or basic understanding which is needed, there's no better place to start than with Dr. Bremner's Brain Imaging Handbook. From the basics of film imaging and different kinds of brain imaging devices to the use of imaging in both psychiatry and physical health, Brain Imaging Handbook provides an in-depth review of the techniques and application of the science to diagnostic processes of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Mental health care providers and students alike will benefit from Dr. Bremner's background in radiology and psychiatry, and from a clear discussion packed with color brain imaging results.