Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are

Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are

By: Joseph LeDoux  

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

LeDoux believes the answer rests in the synapses, key players in the brain's intricately designed communication system. In other words, the pathways by which a person's "hardwired" responses (nature) mesh with his or her unique life experiences (nurture) determine that person's individuality. Here, LeDoux nimbly compresses centuries of philosophy, psychology, and biology into an amazingly clear picture of humanity's journey toward understanding the self.

Equally readable is his comprehensive science lesson, where detailed circuit speak reads like an absorbing--yet often humorous--mystery novel. Skillfully presenting research studies and findings alongside their various implications, LeDoux makes a solid case for accepting a synaptic explanation of existence and provides to the reader generous helpings of knowledge, amusement, and awe along the way. --Liane Thomas

Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Release Date: 2003-01-28

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
Interesting - This book certainly causes you to think, but not exactly what I had expected. I was about a quarter of the way through it and have put it aside for a while. It might be a while before I pick it up again.

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
The synapse may define who we are - This book is a deep academic writings about the synaptic connections in the brain. The author shares an extensive research on fear and the structures of the brain that are involved. Not anybody can pick up this book and understand many details in this book. You do have to have a background in neuroscience to understand the complexities associated with this book. But, it is very informative to everyone that enjoys neuroscience.

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
Synaptic Self: Good Neuroscience Book, But Not The Best - As part of a class assignment for an introductory neuroscience class, I was required to read reviews of neuroscience books written by my classmates. Two of the reviews that I read impressed me to the point that I was prompted to the read the books; the first was VS Ramachandran's Phantoms of the Brain and the second was Joseph LeDoux's Synaptic Self. Reading these reviews by my classmates proved to be a valuable experience as I found both books to be extremely good reads. If I had to choose between the two, I would recommend Phantoms of the Brain as it is more accessible to the average reader, but Synaptic Self is a worthwhile read for those who can navigate through the text.

The main focus of the text concerns the theory that synaptic connections are the keys that make us who we are. Many understand that elements of the mind, thought processes, and personality originate in the brain but it is difficult to describe the neurological origin of selfhood. LeDoux proposes a new theory that claims experience shapes neurology and neurology shapes experience. He unites the concepts of the role of memory in selfhood and the role of synapse firing in brain interactions to create a unified theory connecting synapses to our sense of self. The most important element in this context is the synapse, which serves to trigger brain functions and convey information. Synaptic connections are plastic, shaped by a person's experiences and interactions. Subsequently these plastic connections give rise to unique thoughts and feelings. Memory is the result of synaptic activity as well, which helps to establish personality and a sense of self.

LeDoux begins the text with an anatomy lesson explaining what neurons are, what synapses are and how they connect neurons, and how these connections contribute to brain functions. He then moves to the discussion of nature vs. nurture. He gives his opinion on how nature and nurture come together to combine to shape the synaptic organization of the brain. Elaborating on this process he says neurons that fire together wire together suggesting that experiences shape the organization of neurons and the changes in organization serve to alter future experiences. LeDoux stresses throughout the text the importance of learning and memory with respect to the formation of the self because as he says, "without learning and memory the self would be an empty expression of genetic constitution".

The book continues with LeDoux explaining how neuronal circuits can change based upon what is learned and remembered with synaptic activity playing a large role in this transformation. He goes on to explore how various brain systems including thinking, emotion and motivation interact with each other to determine who we are. He also goes on to look at the ability of his theory to aid in the understanding and treatment of several mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders.

The organization of the text is helpful in the understanding of LeDoux's theories as the concepts flow nicely from one to the next. It is very well written, although at times it can be a bit difficult to understand for those less familiar with neuroscience. Overall, the book is mostly accessible with the few advanced sections not detracting from the overall essence of his work. For reader's that are looking for a good book to get an introduction into the subject this may not be the best choice because the language may be frustrating at times. This seems to be a mid-level read with respect to difficulty level. However, for those that can handle it the text will not disappoint; it is engaging and thought provoking the whole way through. LeDoux writes like a scientist in that he stays fairly close to his working thesis for the duration of the text and mainly sticks to the points that serve to enhance his arguments. The text has little entertainment value for those not interested in the facts and theories he presents, but for those that dream of neuroscience at night and whose eyes light up at the sound of the word neuron, this will certainly be a worthwhile read.

Customer Review: 5 out of 5
How Our Brains Become - Received item as described, fast delivery, will purchase from vendor again
Thank you
M Haynes

Customer Review: 4 out of 5
An Engaging Exploration of How Our Synapses Make Up Who We Are - As someone who shares a great curiosity for all things neuro-related, Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are, was an entertaining and engaging exploration into the many complexities that are at work inside a person's brain. While I am certainly an enthusiastic reader on the topic of neuroscience, I am by no means an authority on the discipline. However, Joseph LeDoux crafts an entertaining and relevant account that both novices and brain experts can enjoy. Following the success of his previous book, The Emotional Brain, the renowned neuroscientist convincingly articulates how in essence, we are our synapses.

The single best description I can think to describe this book is all encompassing. From the book's onset, LeDoux makes it clear that his aim is to leave no stone unturned so that regardless of any previously acquired knowledge, each reader will be able to fundamentally grasp each aspect of his proposed scientific formulation. The book really takes off in chapter two entitled, "The Most Unaccountable of Machinery," where LeDoux enlists each reader in a "crash course on what neurons are, how synapses connect them together, and why synaptic connections are the key to brain function." Arguably the driest section of the book, LeDoux is still able to engage the reader by supplementing the chapter with numerous figures and illustrations. Additionally, LeDoux uses the entire book to highlight and in some cases build on the groundwork laid out by other researchers. For example, in the chapter entitled "Small Change," LeDoux synthesizes the complete history of how the term synaptic plasticity came to be. With so many research references, it is no surprise that LeDoux's compilation of the notes, citations, and index sections comprise one-fourth of the book. While at times it could be a little daunting to keep all of the referenced scientists and studies straight, ultimately the inclusion of such background information only served to frame and solidify LeDoux's take away point: you are your synapses.

Following the abbreviated introduction to neuroscience, LeDoux finally begins to get down to business. In chapter ten, "Synaptic Sickness," LeDoux highlights the neurological pathologies of schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety in order to illustrate his view of how synaptic changes underlie mental illness. Citing the age-old nature versus nurture debate, LeDoux assumes an intermediary stance, asserting that both are mechanisms which alter the transmission and organization of the brain's synapses. For example, in the case of schizophrenia, LeDoux notes that in identical twins there is a fifty-percent chance that both will share the condition, leaving the remaining fifty-percent unaccounted for by genetics. While critics of the biological-based treatment approach (which cites chemical imbalances as the root of mental illness) use this statistic to advocate psychotherapy, LeDoux argues that neither effectively addresses the problem at its true source: the synapse, where all neural information is transmitted. Because alterations in chemical messengers undoubtedly have the capability to affect neural transmission at the synapse, it is easy to accept the notion that correcting this imbalance can restore proper neural functioning. On the other hand, experience can also impact the synapse in the form of plasticity, a consequence of learning, which explains why psychotherapy can be helpful in the treatment of mental disorders. LeDoux points out that due to the complexities of the brain, it is impossible to untangle which mechanisms are specifically causing the malfunction when both ultimately affect the same thing, the synapse. Furthermore, LeDoux notes, "regardless of whether the initial cause is social stress or a genetic time bomb, unless the changes in the brain that accompany the disorder can be reversed or circumvented, the problem is unlikely to dissipate."

In the final chapter, "Who Are You," LeDoux delivers his most convincing argument for why synapses are central to what makes a person who they are. Comparing the brain to a parallel processor computer, LeDoux asserts that " life requires many brain functions, functions require systems, and systems are made of synaptically connected neurons." Because we are alike in the fundamental components (neurons) and overall system (brain) which unifies us as human, in LeDoux's view, "the particular way those neurons are connected is distinct, and that uniqueness, in short, is what makes us who we are." To illustrate this idea, LeDoux outlines seven principles, which he believes are the mechanisms by which the synapse coordinates the self. In particular, principle five (Downwardly Mobile Thoughts Coordinate Parallel Plasticity) reasons that by embodying thoughts as synaptic transmissions, brain activity as a result of one thought can inspire activity in other brain systems involved in perception, motivation, etc, resulting in elaborate convergence zones. From LeDoux's formulation, "we can begin to see how the way we think about ourselves can have powerful influences of the way we are, and who we become...one's self-image is self-perpetuating." In this way, LeDoux points out that when our parallel processing becomes unhinged at the synapse, that is when neurological malfunctions can be seen. In his closing paragraph LeDoux points out the inherent "curse" of such a complex synaptic system that is responsible for making each of us individuals, while noting the contrasting beauty in a system that can accommodate an endless amount of new connections and possibilities.

Taken as a whole I found this book to be an intriguing and engaging read. Regardless of your school of thought, LeDoux showcases a well thought-out scientific formulation that would interest anyone who has ever wondered how our brains make us the person that we are.

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