Somjen's Ions in the Brain is a dry read to be sure for some portions of the book, especially if you do not come from a medical background. However, if you are as fascinated as I am as an epileptic with why and how seizures occur, from a neuroscientific or medical understanding of the ion channels and mechanisms in the brain, then this book can prove useful. The diseases of the ion channels as well as how anti-convulsants work were validation alone for me to buy this book.



So this review of Sojmen's book is from a non-medical epileptic who was searching for some rational answers and explanations on her own condition. If you read this review in the spirit of the writer; an epileptic, you will gain insight into what it can afford you in the same vein if you are a reader with a similar medical condition.



Chapter 5 as Somjen states in his preface, is for the non medically trained. Chapter 5 is an excellent source of clarification for understanding the distinctions between seizure types, convulsive and non-convulsive seizures and the historical and current explanations associated with epilepsy and seizures. For example, on page 110, the various types of seizures such as tonic clonic, partial, generalized, simple, complex, secondary generalized seizures and many more are explained in detail anyone can understand. Chapter 5 concludes with an explanation of the EEG test or electroencephalogram. Reading this chapter provided clear and easy to understand examples and explanations.



I was particularly engrossed in Chapter 11, on the discussion of

the body's own anticonvulsants which include adenosine, galanin, neurpeptide Y and Kynurenic acid. How these can be useful in what I believe to have read to be anti-convulsive therapies.



I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to understand the science involved in ions and the brain. I even further recommend it as a textbook or tool in their training or education.