The Mind within the Net

How does the brain work? How do billions of neurons bring about ideas sensations emotions and actions? Why do children learn faster than elderly people? What can go wrong in perception thinking learning and acting? Scientists now use computer models to help us to understand the most private and human experiences. In The Mind Within the Net Manfred Spitzer shows how these models can fundamentally change how we think about learning creativity thinking and acting as well as such matters as schools retirement homes politics and mental disorders.. Neurophysiology has told us a lot about how neurons work; neural network theory is about how neurons work together to process information. In this highly readable book Spitzer provides a basic nonmathematical introduction to neural networks and their clinical applications. Part I explains the fundamental theory of neural networks and how neural network models work. Part II covers the principles of network functioning and how computer simulations of neural networks have profound consequences for our understanding of how the brain works. Part III covers applications of network models (e.g. to knowledge representation language and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer''s disease) that shed new light on normal and abnormal states of mind. Finally Spitzer concludes with his thoughts on the ramifications of neural networks for the understanding of neuropsychology and human nature.