Brain energy metabolism

by proponents of the system and by those who doubt IIS existence. This part of the symposium brings together anatomists. histologtsts. biochemists. clinicians and physiologists. In general. the book suffers from the absence of a strong editorial policy. The contributions from the various authors are reproduced from the original typescripts as they were sent in. The quality of the reproduction of the type, and especially of the figures. is therefore uneven in quality. The quality of the scientific papers IS also very variable. The nature of the contributions vary from what one would expect in an abstract to critically written review articles. It is a pity that not all the articles arc of the latter quality. At places, the discussions arc too authentic. Some editing here to remove the trivial and unnecessary would save the reader time and improve the flow of the scientific arguments. A final criticism is that the grouping

Brain Energy

Metabolism.

B. K. SIESIB. John

ol’ the contrtbuttons does not alw;t>s l’ollow ;t I‘I~I\ %IIp;titern. The papers on v ;triou< \uhtcc~s ;trc \cattcr:,tl r.tn domly throughout the \vmpostum. m;tktnp it dilt:,~ult 1’111 the reader to follow up :I particular suhtcct ;IW;~ .III~ ;ctld\ to the confusion m the discussion However. the book has its mertts;. The mformatt~~n prc,ented is up to date. and if the evtdencc is conflicrtng. perhaps this reflects the state of the art of the subject Some of the articles are of a high quality. In summar!. thrs volume will be of use to those mvolved in research work within the area or those that already possess advanced knowledge of the subject matter. The format of this volume, however. does not lend itself eastly to the tndividual approaching the subject matter for the first ttmc.

D. .l KAMSAI

Wiley & Sons, New York (1978) 607 pp.. fl7.50:

THIS book makes a major contribution to the neurosciences: the author brings together most successfully the underlying physiology and biochemistry required for an intelligent appraisal of the energy metabolism of the brain in a wide variety of functional states. These include anaesthesis, analgesia, sleep, stress, seizures and coma. The major strength of the book is that it is written by one author so it has a consistent personal orientation so rarely found in comprehensive texts. The author’s orientation is reflected in his concentration on in ciao studies. though relevant studies in cirro have not been ignored. The first section (Chapters l--6) gives a comprehensive,

13550

detailed review of the circulation, access of nutritients and intermediary metabolism of the mammalian and IS followed by a chapter on the techniques available to the research worker who wishes to investigate cerebral metabolism in cico. Apart from minor errors on oxidase systems. the book is well written with attractive illustrations and shows cvidence of wide, critical preparation throughout. It is recommended reading for all neuroscientists and clinicians interested in cerebral metabolism. 1~. S.

RA(~~ELARD