The inspiration for this basic science series occurred at an educational retreat led by Dr. Maximillian Buja, who at the time was the Dean of the medical school. Dr. Buja served as the Dean of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School from 1995 to 2003 before being appointed Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. It has been such a joy to work together with Drs. Jandial and Snyder and more recently Josh Neman, who are brilliant neuroscientists and teachers.

I would like to thank McGraw-Hill for believing in the concept of teaching by clinical cases. I owe a great debt to Catherine Johnson, who has been a fantastically encouraging and enthusiastic editor. It has been amazing to work together with my daughter Allison, who is a senior nursing student at the Scott and White School of Nursing; she is an astute manuscript reviewer and already in her early career she has a good clinical acumen and a clear writing style. At St. Joseph Medical Center, I would like to recognize our outstanding administrators: Pat Mathews, and Drs. Thomas Taylor and John Bertini. At Methodist Hospital, I appreciate Drs. Mark Boom, Judy Paukert, and Alan Kaplan. and I appreciate Linda Bergstrom's advice and assistance. Without the help from my colleagues, Drs. Konrad Harms, Priti Schachel, and Gizelle Brooks-Carter, this manuscript could not have been written. Most importantly, I am humbled by the love, affection, and encouragement from my lovely wife Terri, and our children: Andy and his wife Anna, Michael, Allison, and Christina.