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R. Douglas Fields Ph.D.

About

R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist and author. His experimental research focuses on the cellular mechanisms that regulate nervous system development and learning according to functional activity. This includes both the involvement of neurons and non-neuronal cells (glia) in brain function and plasticity. He is Adjunct Professor at the Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition to 150 publications in the scientific literature, Dr. Fields is author of two neuroscience books for the general audience Why We Snap: Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain, published by Dutton, NY, in January 2016, and The Other Brain: From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries about the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science. His forthcoming book is Electric Brain: How the New Science of Brainwaves Reads Minds, Tells Us How We Learn, and Lets Us Change for the Better.

Books by R. Douglas Fields Ph.D.
Recent Posts
A Link Between War, Altruism, and Sex
Evolutionary psychology explains the interrelation between war, altruism, and sex. Without altruism, there would be no war. Men and women give and receive altruism differently.
Understanding Survivor Guilt
Survivor guilt will afflict thousands who recover from COVID-19 while loved ones do not. Why do people suffer survivor guilt after traumatic events?
Using Electricity, Researchers Find Surprising Memory Results

Neuroscientists announced a new approach to improve memory in elderly people—electrical stimulation applied to the scalp to boost brainwaves.

Neuroscientists announced a new approach to improve memory in elderly people—electrical stimulation applied to the scalp to boost brainwaves.

Will You Quit Your Job? A Surprising Factor May Help Decide

New research suggests that whether you tend to live in the present, past, or future can help determine whether you will quit your job.

New research suggests that whether you tend to live in the present, past, or future can help determine whether you will quit your job.

Why Smell Is So Important in Intimate Relationships

Many people lose their sense of smell after COVID-19 infection. Not often discussed are the psychological effects on sexual and interpersonal relations.

Many people lose their sense of smell after COVID-19 infection. Not often discussed are the psychological effects on sexual and interpersonal relations.

Cellphone Data Reveals Health Benefits of Gratitude

Last year, family and friends could not gather safely for Thanksgiving. This year we can. New research shows that gratitude promotes mental and physical health.

Last year, family and friends could not gather safely for Thanksgiving. This year we can. New research shows that gratitude promotes mental and physical health.

Sarah, patient with brain implant to treat depression, with Dr. Katherine Scangos at UCSF
Treating Depression by Brain-Implanted Electrodes

Researchers recently implanted electrodes in a depressed patient's brain to identify the faulty neural circuits causing her depression and then restored normal activity by stimulating electrodes. What should we take away from this study?

Researchers recently implanted electrodes in a depressed patient's brain to identify the faulty neural circuits causing her depression and then restored normal activity by stimulating electrodes. What should we take away from this study?

How Does "Muscle Memory" Work?

Researchers report that mental “instant replay” after each performance is critical to perfecting a new skill.

Researchers report that mental “instant replay” after each performance is critical to perfecting a new skill.