Neural Control of Sleep and Waking

Vital to our good health but fundamentally mysterious, sleep is an area of both scientific and clinical research that captures many an imagination. In addition, sleep deprivation remains a significant social and medical issue, accounting for many of the workplace and highway accidents. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the human brain in the past half-century, there is still much to be learned. We don't have precise explanations for how sleep refreshes us or even why as humans we need to sleep. We have, however, learned much about the neural mechanisms that control sleep and waking. Designed as a supplemental text for students in psychology, biology, neuroscience, and neurology. The Neural Control of Sleep and Waking provides an overview of the underlying science of the study of sleep and waking. Dr. Siegel begins by taking the reader through a brief overview of the history of the major advances in sleep-waking research. Corrent research into sleep and dreaming comprises a significant portion of the book, allowing the reader to gain insight into both the neural structures and functions involved in these processes. The final portion of the book describes the functions and disorders of sleep and waking. Also discussed is the neurophysiology of the dream state, from a purely scientific point of view. For students whose science background may not be particularly strong, Professor Siegel provides a glossary and a brief chapter on neuroanatomy focusing on the areas of the brain involved in sleep. Book jacket.Siegel, J. is the author of 'Neural Control of Sleep and Waking' with ISBN 9780387955360 and ISBN 0387955364.