The Brain Under Siege: Solving the Mystery of Brain Disease, and How Scientists are Following the Clues to a Cure

by Howard L. Weiner Narrated by Howard L. Weiner

Overview

Multiple Sclerosis. Parkinson's Disease. Alzheimer's. ALS. Chances are that you know someone with a neurologic disease. Because the brain controls so much and is integral to our identity, the diseases that affect it are uniquely devastating both to patients and families. And because it remains the most mysterious of our vital organs, treating the brain is an ongoing puzzle. In The Brain Under Siege, Howard Weiner likens the brain to a crime scene, showing listeners how “clues” point to causes and suggest paths to a cure. He takes listeners on a journey through the latest technological advances, exploring which routes of investigation have gone cold and which have led to breakthroughs. Informative and engaging, this groundbreaking book tells the story behind the science-painting a picture of the discoveries, setbacks, false leads, and victories on the front lines of brain research. Weiner also offers unique insight by exploring the experiences of the brave patients and families who make cutting-edge clinical trials possible. Both a clear-eyed assessment of where the science stands and a gripping and poignant narrative of the dramatic pursuit for a cure, The Brain Under Siege is a must-listen for patients, families, and anyone interested in unraveling the mysteries of the brain.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

""A masterful and rigorous rendering of the state of neurological disease research infused with a rationally defensible sense of hope."
—Kirkus Reviews

"If you're dealing with the diagnosis—either for yourself or a loved one—of a neurologic condition, you're likely feeling lost and overwhelmed. Look no further than this book, which not only breaks down what's happening in the brain like a crime scene, but inspires hope for future treatments . . . A remarkable guide to neurologic diseases that we all can understand."
—Ann Romney

"Howard Weiner has an amazing ability to synthesize complex medical and scientific concepts into something accessible and understandable . . . In The Brain Under Siege, he tells the story of five of the most devastating neurological diseases. He likens each disease to a crime scene and explains how the crime will ultimately be solved. Not only is this book highly informative, it's also genuinely fun to read."
—Stephen L. Hauser, MD, Robert A. Fishman Distinguished Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, and director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences

"The Brain Under Siege breaks down the complexities of brain health and disease in an accessible and enjoyable way."
—Al Sandrock, MD, PhD, head of research and development at Biogen

"A fascinating read, The Brain Under Siege is educational, memorable, and perhaps most important, optimistic . . . The Brain Under Siege explains the science behind these diseases and the possible pathways to a cure."
—Merit Cudkowicz, MD, Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, chief of neurology and director at Healey ALS Center, Massachusetts General Hospital

"The stakes are high when the brain is in trouble. Howard L. Weiner chronicles the heroic efforts that have led to astounding progress in our ability to understand and treat the most essential and most fragile part of our humanity . . . The Brain Under Siege reveals the drama behind the science as doctors grapple with the most complicated structure in the universe."
—Daniel Z. Lieberman, coauthor of Molecule of More

"When it comes to complex medical issues, patients and their families are usually overwhelmed. The situation is complex even for scientists in the field. In Howard Weiner's ambitious new book, The Brain Under Siege, this talented neurologist tackles brain disease and unravels its complexity—no easy feat for such a heavy subject . . . The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the scientific process and the urgent quest to treat—and then prevent—chronic brain diseases."
—Dennis J. Selkoe, MD, Vincent and Stella Coates Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and codirector of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital"

Kirkus Reviews

2022-07-12
Harvard University professor Weiner surveys the challenges of neurological ailments and the extraordinary progress in understanding and treating them.

According to the author, the brain is “the last great frontier of medical science”—an organ that’s maddeningly complex and central not only to biological life, but also to consciousness and identity: “The brain is unique, and because of this it poses unique challenges,” he says. Problematically, this miraculous organ is plagued by a variety of neurological diseases, and the author devotes his book to a discussion of five of them: multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), and glioblastoma (brain tumors). Weiner provides a very thorough account of each, including their causes and current research into potential cures, and makes an optimistic case for future progress on all counts, with treatments for MS the most immediately promising and Alzheimer’s the most vexing; he characterizes the latter as the “number-one scourge of civilization at this time.” Throughout, he considers a range of relevant issues, including the “complex detective work” involved in the search for cures, the tangled world of publication and funding, and even the motivation that professional recognition provides to researchers. Weiner is the Robert L. Kroc Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and the founder and director of the Brigham MS Center and co-director of the Ann Romney Center in Boston, and his command of the material in this book is magisterial. That said, its comprehensiveness may prove prohibitive to lay readers. Although Weiner’s prose is likely as accessible as the technical nature of the subject permits, readers will find it more challenging than most popular scientific literature. For those who are up to the challenge, though, this is a masterful and rigorous rendering of the state of neurological disease research infused with a rationally defensible sense of hope.

A meticulous overview of the ongoing battle against brain diseases.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172872600
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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