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Anticonvulsant drugs and enzyme induction
301 tember, 1975), by G. Levi, L. Battistin a n d A. Lajtha (Eds.), xxii + 541 pages, illustrated, with tables, P l e n u m Press, N e w York, L o n d o n , 1976, U S $ 47.40. Neurologists may like to take note of the publication of this book, which is concerned with that fata morgana, the blood-brain barrier. As Abel Lajtha observes in his preface, the complexity of the barrier system is insufficiently recognised. It is now known that the homeostasis of the brain depends not on a coherent yet elusive physicochemical entity but on a complex set of mechanisms residing heterogeneously in a complex set of membranes - - not only the membranes of the capillary endothelium, which are of relevance to short-term studies of the penetration of materials from the blood to the brain parenchyma, but also those of nerve cells and glia and their subcellular components. It is the investigation of transport systems present in these various membranes that is the subject of this book, the proceedings of a neurochemical symposium held in Padua in September 1975. The contributions deal with the entry of drugs and metabolites from the bloodstream, the uptake and release of neurotransmitter amines and amino-acids, and the transport of proteins, glucose and ions. Clinicians and neuropathologists may find the papers of Brightman and Broadwell (morphological approach to the study of normal and abnormal brain permeability) and Oldendorf (aspects of drug distribution to brain) of immediate relevance, as well as those in the final section of the book, which is devoted to alterations of transport mechanisms in such pathological circumstances as epilepsy, high blood pressure, cerebral oedema and amino-acid overload. P. D. Lewis
Anticonvulsant Drugs and Enzyme Induction (Study G r o u p 9 o f the Institute for Research into M e n t a l a n d Multiple H a n d i c a p , L o n d o n , 29 April-1 May, 1975), by A. Richens a n d F. P. W o o d f o r d (Eds.), viii + 203 pages, 55 illustrations, 42 tables, Associated Scientific Publishers, A m s t e r d a m , 1976, U S $ 18.95. Many anticonvulsants (including phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone and carbamazepine)are potent "inducers" of hepatic microsomal enzymes. That is to say, they stimulate the formation of enzymes concerned with the metabolism of a variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds. This book reports the proceedings of a Symposium held at the Ciba Foundation in London under the auspices of the Institute for Research into Mental and Multiple Handicap. This excellent monograph covers three areas: first, it contains contributions describing methods for detecting enzyme induction by drugs, in animals and man. These represent a "state of the art" review for anyone contemplating entering this field. Second, it describes studies investigating the role of enzyme induction in producing certain adverse effects encountered during chronic anticonvulsant therapy (osteomalacia, megaloblastic anaemia, hirsutes, acne, connective tissue changes and altered liver function tests). Thirdly, it considers the effects of enhanced drug oxidation on anticonvulsants themselves, and on other drugs. All the contributors have written clearly and succinctly and the Editors have excelled themselves in producing this volume. The book can be recommended unreservedly to all who wish to understand more completely the actions of these important therapeutic agents. Michael D. Rawlins
Neoplasia in the Central Nervous System (Advances in Neurology, Vol. 15), by R. A. T h o m p s o n a n d J. R. G r e e n (Eds.), xi -t- 382 pages, 113 illustrations, 38 tables, R a v e n Press, New York, N.Y., 1976, U S $ 35.50. This volume consists of chapters based on papers which were read at a symposium held in January 1975 at Phoenix, Arizona. All the contributors work in North American centres, and much of the book's prose reflects American rather than British usage. In their preface, the editors explain that the purpose of this symposium was to "up-date the clinician's knowledge of recent developments and to
Anticonvulsant Drugs and Enzyme Induction (Study G r o u p 9 o f the Institute for Research into M e n t a l a n d Multiple H a n d i c a p , L o n d o n , 29 April-1 May, 1975), by A. Richens a n d F. P. W o o d f o r d (Eds.), viii + 203 pages, 55 illustrations, 42 tables, Associated Scientific Publishers, A m s t e r d a m , 1976, U S $ 18.95. Many anticonvulsants (including phenobarbitone, phenytoin, primidone and carbamazepine)are potent "inducers" of hepatic microsomal enzymes. That is to say, they stimulate the formation of enzymes concerned with the metabolism of a variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds. This book reports the proceedings of a Symposium held at the Ciba Foundation in London under the auspices of the Institute for Research into Mental and Multiple Handicap. This excellent monograph covers three areas: first, it contains contributions describing methods for detecting enzyme induction by drugs, in animals and man. These represent a "state of the art" review for anyone contemplating entering this field. Second, it describes studies investigating the role of enzyme induction in producing certain adverse effects encountered during chronic anticonvulsant therapy (osteomalacia, megaloblastic anaemia, hirsutes, acne, connective tissue changes and altered liver function tests). Thirdly, it considers the effects of enhanced drug oxidation on anticonvulsants themselves, and on other drugs. All the contributors have written clearly and succinctly and the Editors have excelled themselves in producing this volume. The book can be recommended unreservedly to all who wish to understand more completely the actions of these important therapeutic agents. Michael D. Rawlins
Neoplasia in the Central Nervous System (Advances in Neurology, Vol. 15), by R. A. T h o m p s o n a n d J. R. G r e e n (Eds.), xi -t- 382 pages, 113 illustrations, 38 tables, R a v e n Press, New York, N.Y., 1976, U S $ 35.50. This volume consists of chapters based on papers which were read at a symposium held in January 1975 at Phoenix, Arizona. All the contributors work in North American centres, and much of the book's prose reflects American rather than British usage. In their preface, the editors explain that the purpose of this symposium was to "up-date the clinician's knowledge of recent developments and to