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Normal Infant Development and Borderline Deviations: Early Diagnosis and Therapy
Clinical Neuroiogy and ffeumsurpery 94 ( 1992) 333-334 0 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved 03058467/9X$05.00
Book reviews
~eur~~.y~~~h~~i~~~ methodic, NATO ASI Series, Series H:
Cell Biology, Vol. 58. by A. Galas and D. Eugene (editors), 1991, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 336 pages, DM 248.00
This volume of the NATO ASI Series in the Advanced Science Institute Series is about neurocytochemical methods and is dedicated to J. Taxi. Four main sections are presented: biology, detection of specific molecules, quantitative aspects, and receptors. The most impo~ant article in the hodology section is that on transmitter related retrograde labelling by the CuCnod-Streit group. It is about whether selective uptake of an administered radioactive labelled neurotransmitter (precursor) is done by those systems that use the administered transmitter. False negativity is observed for aspartate and GABA. This is present in two of the three amino acid-like neurotransmitters discussed. Those who have worked with glycine know that unselective uptake can be substantial, Therefore, caution must be taken when using this method. Another good article that struck me in this section, mainly because we developed such a technique in our laboratory, was on the topic of video-microscopic techniques to study parameters in live neurons. The other applications in measurements of ion-sensitive dyes and quantitative analysis of organelle motions are a new source of scientific knowledge. The section on “Detection of Specific Molecules” comprises transmitter colocalization, neuroanatomy of synapses, in situ hybridization of neurotransmitter genes, and markers to study regulation of glial cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The report on this section by chairwoman Margret R. Matthews from the Department of Anatomy in Oxford is well worked out. The part on quantitative aspects, chaired by Dr. Fonnum, starts with a high quality article on light emitting systems to assay acetylcholine release. The section also contains articles on morphometry, PET, and calcium detection in neurons using microfluorometric imaging techniques. The part on receptors features two articles on neuro~ptide receptors and GABA/BZ receptors. In conclusion, severai articles in this NATO ASI Series are valuable to researchers using neurocytochemical methods. Some of the article can be found in better quality elsewhere. On the whole. however. to me this seems to be a book worth having in the library.
Department
E. Marani, MD of Physiology (Anatomy) State Unive~ity Leiden Leiden, The Netherl~ds
Self and Process: Brain States aFzd the Conscious Present, by J.W. Brown, 1991, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/ New York, 201 pages, DM 84.00 (hard cover), ISBN 3-540975 14-4 Symptoms observed in the neurological clinic provide the basis for this marvellous contribution to a “devoutly idealistic” philosophy of mind. Not the world but the mind is primary. It is not objects that impinge on the mind, but the perceived world is part of the extrapersonal extent of the mind. Symptoms are not aberrations from the normal but enable one to observe prelimina~, and during normal fllnctioning unobservable, segments of intrapsychic content. The central concept is microgenesis. Contrary to prevailing current thinking, Brown argues that sensory input is not constructed into a perception that is secondarily linked to memory and combined with other perceptions, There is no transition to mind over levels of sensory processing. He elaborates a theory of mind sensitive to physical constraints but centered in the subjective. In his view, the object, the “world”, unfolds from a “synthetic” representation in memory toward increasing resolution and demarcation from other perceptual systems. Action and perception are LIP or&%zzea unitary act-object. Evolution is at the basis of his theory of mind. Consciousness, the self. knovvledge. voluntary action, affect, pastness are among the issues accounted for. In a separate chapter. the author discusses the implications of microgenetic theory for the mind/brain problem. It is a delight to follow the author when he disposes with the localization theory and other current accounts of the relationship between brain and behaviour. His line of thinking, based on European philosophy and psychology (Wiirzburg) is, however, not always easy to grasp. For the clinician, prior reading of ‘The Life of the Mind” (Brown 1988) may be helpful. A. Jennekens-Schinkel, MD Department of Neur~)logy Academic Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
Normal Infant Development and Borderline Deviations: Early Diagnosis and Therapy, by Inge Flehmig, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 280 pages, DM 39.00, ISBN 3-13-777301-6 In the last decades much research has been done on the problem of early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy. Everyone with
an interest in this field knows the work of Resell, Illingworth and Andr&Thomas. Also, Prechtl’s study of the neurological examination of newborns deserves mentioning. This book. the English translation of the 4th German edition (1990). provides ub with the tools for a practical approach of normal and abnormal motor development in infancy based on the scientific attainments offered by those mentioned before. It also outlines in detail several assessment techniques with an abundant number of illustrations. In addition, a classi~cation of neurodevelopmental disabilities is provided and some treatment schemes, including the principles of ne~r~evelopm~ntal (Bobath) therapy, are introduced. Recommended to all physicians who are looking for a practical guide on the psychomotor development of young infants. O.F. Brouwer, MD Department of Child Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
The ~e~ro~Qgy Swrt Case, by John G.L. Morris, 1992, Edward Arnold, London, 58.99 Neurology has traditionally been one of the most difficult disciplines taught to medical students. The complexity of the nervous system as well as the disease-oriented approach of most books used for teaching clinical neurology explain the low accessibility of our discipline. This book has a problem-oriented approach. It provides an outline on how to assess eleven common neurological problems: the wasted hand, proximal weakness of the arms or legs, gait disturbance, abnormalities of vision and eye movements, etc. The book should be considered as a supplement to the more classical books on neurology and it is strongly recommended for teaching purposes to medical students. J.J. van Hilten, MD Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden. The Netherlands
Di$mdai Diagnosis, 2nd edition, by Mark Mumenthaler, translated and annotated by Otto Appenzeller, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttg~~w York, 178 pages, DM 68.00, ISBN 3-13-665002-6
Neurologic
The number of monographs that are based on a close approximation of daily clinical practice, and in that design and writing, have
become a success, is small and can probably be counted on IIX fingers of one hand. One of the earliest and most successful wit< the surgical textbook written by De Quervain under the title “75 Vorlesungen”. In neurology, every older neurologist will vividly remember Robert Bing’s “Compendium der topischen Gehim- und Riickenmarks Diagnostik”, later annotated and elaborated by the late Webb Haymaker. Mumenthaler’s “Neurologic Differential Diagnosis” is the most recent monograph in this augur series. and. as if history repeats itself, this second edition has been trar~sl~t~~~ and annotated by Dr. Ap~~eller, the well known neurologist and author of various neurological textbooks that arc successful in their own right. John Patten’s neurological differential diagnosis was conceived along the same lines but emphasised the neuroanatomy underlying the symptoms. This edition, a delight to read, presumes a level of neurological education and training of at least 3 years. It then. in its first part, deals with a number of disorders which the clinician presumably has already localised, i.e. the neurologist has nut only arrived at a functional diagnosis, but also at an anatomical diagnosis. This part aims to aid in the final, etiological diagnosis. The second part of the book deals with a number of disorders which have been finally delineated, but the cause of which has not yet been localised within the nervous system. In this part the true localising significances of neurological symptoms is set out clearly and poignantly. The index of the book will greatly aid the user to find the appropriate pages where his or her diagnostic problem is dealt with. This is a true bedside book and ought to figure on the desk in the out-patient office of every practising neurologist. It serves admirably the noble art of using one’s brain first in attempting to arrive at a diagnosis, and not to resort to the modem electrophysiological and radiological auxili‘ary techniques, without a very specific query to be answered by the latter. The monograph is lavishly illustrated with superb drawings and schemes, to bring home ad [I(,~~Iu.~ the points made in the text. Various handy tables recapitulate essentials. Both authors are to be complimented on their efforts. The publishing house provided a format and quality of execution of the book that is proverbial. The price is moderate. Unreservedly recommended. R.P.M. Bruyn, MD Department of Neurology Oudenrijn Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlanda
Book reviews
~eur~~.y~~~h~~i~~~ methodic, NATO ASI Series, Series H:
Cell Biology, Vol. 58. by A. Galas and D. Eugene (editors), 1991, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 336 pages, DM 248.00
This volume of the NATO ASI Series in the Advanced Science Institute Series is about neurocytochemical methods and is dedicated to J. Taxi. Four main sections are presented: biology, detection of specific molecules, quantitative aspects, and receptors. The most impo~ant article in the hodology section is that on transmitter related retrograde labelling by the CuCnod-Streit group. It is about whether selective uptake of an administered radioactive labelled neurotransmitter (precursor) is done by those systems that use the administered transmitter. False negativity is observed for aspartate and GABA. This is present in two of the three amino acid-like neurotransmitters discussed. Those who have worked with glycine know that unselective uptake can be substantial, Therefore, caution must be taken when using this method. Another good article that struck me in this section, mainly because we developed such a technique in our laboratory, was on the topic of video-microscopic techniques to study parameters in live neurons. The other applications in measurements of ion-sensitive dyes and quantitative analysis of organelle motions are a new source of scientific knowledge. The section on “Detection of Specific Molecules” comprises transmitter colocalization, neuroanatomy of synapses, in situ hybridization of neurotransmitter genes, and markers to study regulation of glial cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The report on this section by chairwoman Margret R. Matthews from the Department of Anatomy in Oxford is well worked out. The part on quantitative aspects, chaired by Dr. Fonnum, starts with a high quality article on light emitting systems to assay acetylcholine release. The section also contains articles on morphometry, PET, and calcium detection in neurons using microfluorometric imaging techniques. The part on receptors features two articles on neuro~ptide receptors and GABA/BZ receptors. In conclusion, severai articles in this NATO ASI Series are valuable to researchers using neurocytochemical methods. Some of the article can be found in better quality elsewhere. On the whole. however. to me this seems to be a book worth having in the library.
Department
E. Marani, MD of Physiology (Anatomy) State Unive~ity Leiden Leiden, The Netherl~ds
Self and Process: Brain States aFzd the Conscious Present, by J.W. Brown, 1991, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/ New York, 201 pages, DM 84.00 (hard cover), ISBN 3-540975 14-4 Symptoms observed in the neurological clinic provide the basis for this marvellous contribution to a “devoutly idealistic” philosophy of mind. Not the world but the mind is primary. It is not objects that impinge on the mind, but the perceived world is part of the extrapersonal extent of the mind. Symptoms are not aberrations from the normal but enable one to observe prelimina~, and during normal fllnctioning unobservable, segments of intrapsychic content. The central concept is microgenesis. Contrary to prevailing current thinking, Brown argues that sensory input is not constructed into a perception that is secondarily linked to memory and combined with other perceptions, There is no transition to mind over levels of sensory processing. He elaborates a theory of mind sensitive to physical constraints but centered in the subjective. In his view, the object, the “world”, unfolds from a “synthetic” representation in memory toward increasing resolution and demarcation from other perceptual systems. Action and perception are LIP or&%zzea unitary act-object. Evolution is at the basis of his theory of mind. Consciousness, the self. knovvledge. voluntary action, affect, pastness are among the issues accounted for. In a separate chapter. the author discusses the implications of microgenetic theory for the mind/brain problem. It is a delight to follow the author when he disposes with the localization theory and other current accounts of the relationship between brain and behaviour. His line of thinking, based on European philosophy and psychology (Wiirzburg) is, however, not always easy to grasp. For the clinician, prior reading of ‘The Life of the Mind” (Brown 1988) may be helpful. A. Jennekens-Schinkel, MD Department of Neur~)logy Academic Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
Normal Infant Development and Borderline Deviations: Early Diagnosis and Therapy, by Inge Flehmig, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 280 pages, DM 39.00, ISBN 3-13-777301-6 In the last decades much research has been done on the problem of early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral palsy. Everyone with
an interest in this field knows the work of Resell, Illingworth and Andr&Thomas. Also, Prechtl’s study of the neurological examination of newborns deserves mentioning. This book. the English translation of the 4th German edition (1990). provides ub with the tools for a practical approach of normal and abnormal motor development in infancy based on the scientific attainments offered by those mentioned before. It also outlines in detail several assessment techniques with an abundant number of illustrations. In addition, a classi~cation of neurodevelopmental disabilities is provided and some treatment schemes, including the principles of ne~r~evelopm~ntal (Bobath) therapy, are introduced. Recommended to all physicians who are looking for a practical guide on the psychomotor development of young infants. O.F. Brouwer, MD Department of Child Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands
The ~e~ro~Qgy Swrt Case, by John G.L. Morris, 1992, Edward Arnold, London, 58.99 Neurology has traditionally been one of the most difficult disciplines taught to medical students. The complexity of the nervous system as well as the disease-oriented approach of most books used for teaching clinical neurology explain the low accessibility of our discipline. This book has a problem-oriented approach. It provides an outline on how to assess eleven common neurological problems: the wasted hand, proximal weakness of the arms or legs, gait disturbance, abnormalities of vision and eye movements, etc. The book should be considered as a supplement to the more classical books on neurology and it is strongly recommended for teaching purposes to medical students. J.J. van Hilten, MD Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden. The Netherlands
Di$mdai Diagnosis, 2nd edition, by Mark Mumenthaler, translated and annotated by Otto Appenzeller, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttg~~w York, 178 pages, DM 68.00, ISBN 3-13-665002-6
Neurologic
The number of monographs that are based on a close approximation of daily clinical practice, and in that design and writing, have
become a success, is small and can probably be counted on IIX fingers of one hand. One of the earliest and most successful wit< the surgical textbook written by De Quervain under the title “75 Vorlesungen”. In neurology, every older neurologist will vividly remember Robert Bing’s “Compendium der topischen Gehim- und Riickenmarks Diagnostik”, later annotated and elaborated by the late Webb Haymaker. Mumenthaler’s “Neurologic Differential Diagnosis” is the most recent monograph in this augur series. and. as if history repeats itself, this second edition has been trar~sl~t~~~ and annotated by Dr. Ap~~eller, the well known neurologist and author of various neurological textbooks that arc successful in their own right. John Patten’s neurological differential diagnosis was conceived along the same lines but emphasised the neuroanatomy underlying the symptoms. This edition, a delight to read, presumes a level of neurological education and training of at least 3 years. It then. in its first part, deals with a number of disorders which the clinician presumably has already localised, i.e. the neurologist has nut only arrived at a functional diagnosis, but also at an anatomical diagnosis. This part aims to aid in the final, etiological diagnosis. The second part of the book deals with a number of disorders which have been finally delineated, but the cause of which has not yet been localised within the nervous system. In this part the true localising significances of neurological symptoms is set out clearly and poignantly. The index of the book will greatly aid the user to find the appropriate pages where his or her diagnostic problem is dealt with. This is a true bedside book and ought to figure on the desk in the out-patient office of every practising neurologist. It serves admirably the noble art of using one’s brain first in attempting to arrive at a diagnosis, and not to resort to the modem electrophysiological and radiological auxili‘ary techniques, without a very specific query to be answered by the latter. The monograph is lavishly illustrated with superb drawings and schemes, to bring home ad [I(,~~Iu.~ the points made in the text. Various handy tables recapitulate essentials. Both authors are to be complimented on their efforts. The publishing house provided a format and quality of execution of the book that is proverbial. The price is moderate. Unreservedly recommended. R.P.M. Bruyn, MD Department of Neurology Oudenrijn Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlanda