Astrobiological Neurosystems

Jerry L. Cranford, Ph.D, CCC-A, is a retired professor at the Department of Communication Disorders at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans. He is an experienced neuroscientist/psychologist with an extensive background as a funded brain research scientist, and also a lifelong dedicated amateur astronomer whose primary interest is in the question of how intelligent forms of life might develop on other worlds in the universe. Dr. Cranford is attempting to combine his professional knowledge of the brain sciences with his knowledge of astrobiology to speculate on how alien life forms may develop neurobiological control systems that could be functionally analogous to those found in various animal species on Earth. He has extensive experience in writing articles and books for interested non-scientists and strives at making the scientific information he presents as accurate as possible but with a minimum of highly technical jargon.

Preface.- Scientists believe intelligent life may be more common in the universe than previously considered possible.- When will mankind achieve "First Contact" with extraterrestrial life forms.- If our nervous system is not the only one that exists in the universe, where are the others and how do we identify them?- Evolution of intelligent nervous systems on other worlds in the universe.- Are biological nervous systems just the first step in the rise of intelligence in the universe?.- Just how hostile is our universe to the development and survival of Life Forms?.- Some Final Thoughts from this "amateur" astronomer on mankind's imminent discovery that we are not alone in the Universe.- References and further suggested readings.- Index.

"The quintessence of this book is whether there possibly exist brains (central nervous systems) on other planets that might work the same or entirely differently from those found on Earth. ... For astro-neurobiological educated guesses, surmises, and ideas, this book is the first of its kind and offers a good read." (P. Chapman-Rietschi, The Observatory, April, 2016)

"The illustrations are excellent, and there is an extensive bibliography. Most of the subjects are covered in many other books, but the discussion of neurosystems is original and insightful. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers, lower- and upper-division undergraduates." (T. Barker, Choice, Vol. 52 (12), August, 2015)