Book Review: The Other Brain, by R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D.

This is a fascinating book that starts off with a neurology-for-dummies-type section that is beneficial for those of us who aren't brain surgeons and want to understand how the brain works. It then goes on to talk about glial (white matter) research in the context of its history and show how findings are changing and could continue to change the way neurological illness is treated.

It might seem strange for this review to appear on a website devoted to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome since it doesn't specifically address either condition. However, as someone who's fascinated and possibly a bit obsessed with neurology and neurological illness, I have to say it's one of the most interesting things I've ever read.

If you want to really understand the process of re-uptake, which is central to many of the drugs prescribed for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome; if you want to gain a better understanding of the blood brain barrier and the brain's specialized immune system; if you want to know how scientists have figured out so much of what happens inside our brains, or why they haven't figured out more, this is a book for you.

I would also recommend this book to people interested in degenerative neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease), brain cancer, mental illness or spinal-cord injury.

Dr. Fields writes with an energy and enthusiasm that clearly show his love of the topic.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.