Elusive Cures

“A compelling case that understanding the brain as a complex and constantly changing system instead of a ‘thing’ improves the chances of understanding the relationship between ‘mental disorders’ and ‘brain disorders,’ the role of neural networks, and finding cures. Accessible to lay readers, informed by the latest research, and filled with concrete examples, Elusive Cures is immensely useful to a subject that is relevant to all of us.”—Glenn C. Altschuler, Psychology Today“An insider’s account of how contemporary neuroscience is tackling the failures of the bench-to-bed pipeline and how neuroscience is moving away from the molecular-genetic framework to a new grand plan that understands the brain as a complex, dynamic, computational system. Rust is a brilliant, accomplished, thoughtful, and philosophically and clinically informed neuroscientist… . the end result is an accessible book that is deeply intelligent and informative.”—Awais Aftab, Psychiatry at the Margins“Written at an accessible level, this thorough summation explains neuroscience research and possible pathways forward to students, patients, caregivers, and educators.” * Library Journal *“An ambitious study of the search for cures to Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s, and ALS… . pepper[ed] with fascinating anecdotes … . The result is a cogent and impassioned account.” * Publishers Weekly *”[A] fascinating book.”—Andrew Robinson, Nature“Elusive Cures should be required reading… . Essential.” * Choice *

Nicole C. Rust is professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Recipient of the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences, she is a contributing editor at The Transmitter, a leading brain research news magazine.