A clinical review of recent research and scientific data. Very well researched and referenced. Perhaps not the most lay person friendly but it attempted to be widely accessible.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/2479854102/comments

A lot of good information without becoming too heavy handed with solely scientific terminology. A good read for layman and professionals!

This book aggravated me. I wouldn't recommend it because it sloppily covers a lot of material too fast. Another issue I have with the book is in reinforces a sort of reductive way of thinking that I associate with how we try to explain genetics and "biology" to lay readers. There is important information there, but it is presented with greater certainly than it deserves (or without reasonable caution), but the bigger problem is that the author didn't provider greater context. For instance, in the chapter on Depression and Bipolar Disorder it is bizarre to say that psychotherapy is a biological treatment. In a sense, I agree. Successful psychotherapy changes someone's brain ... just like taking piano lessons or anything that involves practice changes your brain. What isn't said is that psychotherapy is a social/interpersonal treatment. Interpersonal and social factors are glossed over. Sure, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (a specific psychotherapy treatment modality) has been well studied, but that is mainly because it lends itself to empirical study as it is easy to measure and duplicate, but there is other literature that shows a common factor across psychotherapy that suggests the helpful part isn't a specific modality or technique but the rapport and support the person receives from the provider (and peers in group work). This author just kind of ignores the biopsychosocial model, when what we need is an attempt to connect the micro-focus of genetics and understanding of physiology (for instance synaptic pruning) within the context of the macro, which would include consideration of the interpersonal, social, and societal factors.

The chapters had the feel of "encyclopedia papers." Each covered several semi-related topics, but not a lot of organization or connection. This is the type of book that I think ends up appealing to reads, but actually reinforces some bad habits in reductive thinking.

I read an ARC from NetGalley and Farrah, Straus And Giroux. Thanks!

I am always interested in reading about the intersection of brain physiology and psychology/behavior. This book was a great overview of some of the most recent discoveries that shed light on physiological findings within the brains of people who have a number of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia or Huntington’s, who suffer from depression or anxiety, or who experience life in non-neurotypical ways, including people with autism or gender nonconformity.

The author did a good job of clearly explaining these complex scientific issues for a lay reader and I, like the author find it very interesting how seemingly unrelated symptoms can be caused by similar physiological changes in the brain, such as the role that synaptic pruning plays in both schizophrenia and autism.

The one element that seemed to be missing for me, however, was a stronger synthesis and suggestions about where these findings might lead in the future. There was a bit of this in the conclusion, but I would have liked to have read more.

All in all, a good overview that helped me understand current discoveries in brain functioning.