- Email: [email protected]
Methods in brain research
429 bibliography of 402 references. Further chapters discuss the role of chemotherapy in malignant brain tumour, the effect of malnutrition on the maturing central nervous system, and there is a chapter on the physiology and production of normal pressure hydrocephalus which underlines very clearly the confusion surrounding this topic (439 references). Finally, there is also a very useful chapter on the pharmacokinetic basis of therapeutics which outlines very clearly the factors modifying drug absorption, metabolism and excretion and which refers in particular to those drugs used in clinical practice in neurology. At $ 26, this volume must be regarded as somewhat expensive. However, the essays are of a very high standard and whilst individual neurologists may find the volume too expensive to purchase, most neurological libraries will be required to obtain copies not only of this but also volumes 1 to 12. Where else in one volume could one have access to more than 1900 selected references to the seven topics discussed? The amount of work done by the individual contributors in the production of this volume must be highly commended. They have presented us with comprehensive bibliographies to the subject matter of their comprehensive reviews. J. B. Foster
Methods in Brain Research, b y P. B. B r a d l e y (Ed.), ix q- 557 p a g e s , 153 i l l u s t r a t i o n s , 20 tables, J o h n W i l e y a n d S o n s , L o n d o n , 1975, £ 18.00. It would not be possible to give a comprehensive account of all the methods available for studying the brain in a multi-author volume of this size. The editor has selected certain topics and has given his writers scope to do justice to their themes. There are excellent chapters on neuroanatomical staining methods, autoradiographic techniques, and fluorescence histochemistry of monoamines, but none on enzymic immunohistochemistry or horse-radish peroxidase. Biochemical chapters deal with subcellular fractionation, microchemical techniques, and methods of collection (including ventricular perfusion, collection cups, and push-pull cannulae). Other chapters deal with microelectrode techniques, tissue culture methods, and operant conditioning. All these chapters are full of practical details and adequate references, so that they would form valuable initial reading and reference sources for the post-graduate commencing research training in these fields. Two other chapters deal more with fields of study rather than techniques, namely one on intracranial self-stimulation, and another gives a fascinating account of neuroethology. The latter includes descriptions of many methods of studying behavioural responses, and their use as in demonstrating the phenomena of after-effects of electrical brain stimulation of basal forebrain nuclei on the avoidance behaviour of doves attacked by a model spider. A final chapter is devoted to psychosurgery, which is more a spirited defence of the use of destructive brain operations as a research tool than an analysis of techniques or results. In conclusion, an uneven book whose individual parts make excellent reading for the research student if he should find his way to the volume. C. D. Marsden
Psychoactive Drugs and Social Judgment ~ Theory and Research, b y K . R . H a m m o n d a n d C. R . B. J o y c e (Eds.), xvii q- 278 pages, 60 i l l u s t r a t i o n s , 11 tables, J o h n W i l e y a n d S o n s , N e w Y o r k , L o n d o n , 1975, U S $ 1 8 . 5 0 , £ 9.25. This book examines what little is known of a new dimension in psychopharmacology: the effect of psychoactive drugs on social interaction. It is a dimension that those who treat mental illness with drugs and those concerned in psychopharmacological research should at least be aware of. The general outlook of the various contributors is that one way of assessing mental illness is in terms of degree of social dysfunction: if an individual cannot interact normally with other individuals then, whatever the cause, he could be described as being mentally ill. Since many forms of mental illness are treated with drugs, the effects of drugs on social interaction should be considered. In animals it has repeatedly been shown that psychoactive drugs do affect social behaviour and that the effect of some drugs (amphetamines, alcohol and many others) depends on whether the animal is isolated or in social contact with other animals. In humans, similarly, the effects of cannabis
Methods in Brain Research, b y P. B. B r a d l e y (Ed.), ix q- 557 p a g e s , 153 i l l u s t r a t i o n s , 20 tables, J o h n W i l e y a n d S o n s , L o n d o n , 1975, £ 18.00. It would not be possible to give a comprehensive account of all the methods available for studying the brain in a multi-author volume of this size. The editor has selected certain topics and has given his writers scope to do justice to their themes. There are excellent chapters on neuroanatomical staining methods, autoradiographic techniques, and fluorescence histochemistry of monoamines, but none on enzymic immunohistochemistry or horse-radish peroxidase. Biochemical chapters deal with subcellular fractionation, microchemical techniques, and methods of collection (including ventricular perfusion, collection cups, and push-pull cannulae). Other chapters deal with microelectrode techniques, tissue culture methods, and operant conditioning. All these chapters are full of practical details and adequate references, so that they would form valuable initial reading and reference sources for the post-graduate commencing research training in these fields. Two other chapters deal more with fields of study rather than techniques, namely one on intracranial self-stimulation, and another gives a fascinating account of neuroethology. The latter includes descriptions of many methods of studying behavioural responses, and their use as in demonstrating the phenomena of after-effects of electrical brain stimulation of basal forebrain nuclei on the avoidance behaviour of doves attacked by a model spider. A final chapter is devoted to psychosurgery, which is more a spirited defence of the use of destructive brain operations as a research tool than an analysis of techniques or results. In conclusion, an uneven book whose individual parts make excellent reading for the research student if he should find his way to the volume. C. D. Marsden
Psychoactive Drugs and Social Judgment ~ Theory and Research, b y K . R . H a m m o n d a n d C. R . B. J o y c e (Eds.), xvii q- 278 pages, 60 i l l u s t r a t i o n s , 11 tables, J o h n W i l e y a n d S o n s , N e w Y o r k , L o n d o n , 1975, U S $ 1 8 . 5 0 , £ 9.25. This book examines what little is known of a new dimension in psychopharmacology: the effect of psychoactive drugs on social interaction. It is a dimension that those who treat mental illness with drugs and those concerned in psychopharmacological research should at least be aware of. The general outlook of the various contributors is that one way of assessing mental illness is in terms of degree of social dysfunction: if an individual cannot interact normally with other individuals then, whatever the cause, he could be described as being mentally ill. Since many forms of mental illness are treated with drugs, the effects of drugs on social interaction should be considered. In animals it has repeatedly been shown that psychoactive drugs do affect social behaviour and that the effect of some drugs (amphetamines, alcohol and many others) depends on whether the animal is isolated or in social contact with other animals. In humans, similarly, the effects of cannabis