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Calcium and cell physiology
Book Calcium
and Cell Physiology. D. MAI&
Reviews
(ed.). Springer-Verlag
This book provides a thorough, comprehensive and up-todate coverage of the role of calcium ions in the regulation of cell function. It will be of value to research scientists in all life sciences, and is likely to expand the awareness of all who read it, because of the width of expertise that the authors ecompass. As with most multi-author works, some of the chapters are better written and more comprehensive than others, but the overall impression is of an admirably high standard. The book is also well presented, and of a convenient size. Several of the individual chapters, although providing relevant background information, are concerned with a rather specific aspect of the topic covered. For instance, the chapter on voltage sensitive Ca channels is a beautifully written account of channels in cardiac muscle membranes, and the details of the methods of recording and analysing currents are applicable to all tissues. The discussion of the functions of Ca in regulating contraction is confined to smooth muscle, but again, enough general principles are covered to make it a valuable chapter for all interested in contractile mechanisms. There are specific chapters on the
1025 (1985). 390 pp. DM
role of Ca in the regulation of secretion of histamine from mast cells, in alpha adrenergic regulation of liver function, in insulin release and in platelet function; but most of the book is concerned with more specific biochemical information, such as the importance of Ca in second messenger systems, and the interaction of Ca with enzyme systems, transport mechanisms and Ca-binding proteins These chapters give a wealth of useful detail, and make valuable generalizations: to the physiologist, though, they are rather disappointing, in that relatively few specific functions of the molecular interactions have yet been characterized. Pharmacological aspects are also covered, and there is an excellent chapter on calmodulin antagonists, emphasing the nonspecificity of such drugs, and the difficulty of interpreting their effects. Some of the properties of Ca-antagonists are also covered. In conclusion, there is much to recommend this book, and all who read it are likely to become better-informed. The references alone would make this book worth buying. A. F. BRADING
The Auditory Midbrain: Structure and Function in the Central Auditory Pathway. New Jersey (1985). 246 pp. E41.55.
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in the auditory system, which has become one of the most challenging and productive areas in sensory neurobiology. Undoubtedly, the most rapidly evolving aspect of auditory research lies in the nature of the transduction mechanism in the inner ear. Nevertheless, the anatomical organization of the central auditory pathway and the manner in which different features of an acoustic stimulus are represented and processed there have also attracted considerable attention. This book provides a highly readable review of the structure and function of one part of the central auditory pathway, namely the auditory midbrain. The author has concentrated on the inferior colliculus, the principal midbrain structure concerned with hearing, but, in addition, has included the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and the deep layers of the superior colliculus. In mammals, the auditory midbrain acts as an integrating centre for relaying information to acoustically responsive areas of the cerebral cortex and is required for many reflex and perceptual functions, while in submammalian vertebrates it represents the primary centre for the processing of auditory information. Moreover, the extensive studies that have been carried out on this region in both adult and developing animals have yielded valuable insights into the overall functional organization of the auditory system, as well as contributing to our understanding of more general issues in neurobiology. After a short introductory chapter, Dr Aitkin begins with a brief description of the auditory brainstem, emphasizing that different aspects of an acoustic stimulus appear to be processed in parallel. This is followed by a critical appraisal of the role of the midbrain in normal acoustic behaviour as revealed by the behavioural consequences of lesions of this region. The cytoarchitecture and synaptic organization of the auditory midbrain, and in particular, the inferior colliculus are then reviewed. The next few chapters deal with, in turn, the tonotopic organization of the different parts of the auditory midbrain, their afferent and efferent connections,
128.
L. AITKIN. Humana
Press,
Clifton,
and the response characteristics of units found there, mcluding the effects of changes in stimulus intensity and frequency on firing patterns. Apart from a chapter on t-he development of the inferior colliculus. Dr Aitkin devotes the rest of the book to the functional organization of the auditory midbrain. Firstly, the neural mechanisms responsible for sound localization are discussed in relation to the midbrain. This chapter comprises a detailed account of the responses of cells to variations in inter-aural disparities and to sounds presented in free space, together with an evaluation of the evidence for a topographical representation of auditory space in the barn owl midbrain and in the mammalian inferior colliculus and superior colliculus. Finally, a chapter is included on the role of the auditory midbrain in acousticomotor behaviour. This book is attractively presented and is written in a clear and informal style. It is, in general, organized in a logical and systematic manner, with frequent cross-referencing between chapters, and is appropriately illustrated with a mixture of figures reproduced from original publications and those drawn specifically for the author. The composition of much of the book reflects Dr Aitkin’s own interests, with a strong emphasis on experiments carried out on the cat, which has been the principal animal used in studies of the auditory midbrain. He has concentrated on what he regards as a number of key issues and, in so doing, has produced a concise description of the literature relating to these areas, supplemented by his own careful arguments. What I particularly liked, was that, throughout the book, Dr Aitkin offers a detailed and critical assessment of the experimental techniques that have been used for addressing particular questions, interspersed with suggestions for possible directions of future research. Whilst accepting that the author has deliberately attempted to be selective in his treatment of this subject, I do feel, however, that certain key experiments have been left out. For example, I found it a little surprising that there was no mention of the work demonstrating plasticity in the auditory representation in the midbrain of the barn owl in the chapter dealing with
and Cell Physiology. D. MAI&
Reviews
(ed.). Springer-Verlag
This book provides a thorough, comprehensive and up-todate coverage of the role of calcium ions in the regulation of cell function. It will be of value to research scientists in all life sciences, and is likely to expand the awareness of all who read it, because of the width of expertise that the authors ecompass. As with most multi-author works, some of the chapters are better written and more comprehensive than others, but the overall impression is of an admirably high standard. The book is also well presented, and of a convenient size. Several of the individual chapters, although providing relevant background information, are concerned with a rather specific aspect of the topic covered. For instance, the chapter on voltage sensitive Ca channels is a beautifully written account of channels in cardiac muscle membranes, and the details of the methods of recording and analysing currents are applicable to all tissues. The discussion of the functions of Ca in regulating contraction is confined to smooth muscle, but again, enough general principles are covered to make it a valuable chapter for all interested in contractile mechanisms. There are specific chapters on the
1025 (1985). 390 pp. DM
role of Ca in the regulation of secretion of histamine from mast cells, in alpha adrenergic regulation of liver function, in insulin release and in platelet function; but most of the book is concerned with more specific biochemical information, such as the importance of Ca in second messenger systems, and the interaction of Ca with enzyme systems, transport mechanisms and Ca-binding proteins These chapters give a wealth of useful detail, and make valuable generalizations: to the physiologist, though, they are rather disappointing, in that relatively few specific functions of the molecular interactions have yet been characterized. Pharmacological aspects are also covered, and there is an excellent chapter on calmodulin antagonists, emphasing the nonspecificity of such drugs, and the difficulty of interpreting their effects. Some of the properties of Ca-antagonists are also covered. In conclusion, there is much to recommend this book, and all who read it are likely to become better-informed. The references alone would make this book worth buying. A. F. BRADING
The Auditory Midbrain: Structure and Function in the Central Auditory Pathway. New Jersey (1985). 246 pp. E41.55.
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in the auditory system, which has become one of the most challenging and productive areas in sensory neurobiology. Undoubtedly, the most rapidly evolving aspect of auditory research lies in the nature of the transduction mechanism in the inner ear. Nevertheless, the anatomical organization of the central auditory pathway and the manner in which different features of an acoustic stimulus are represented and processed there have also attracted considerable attention. This book provides a highly readable review of the structure and function of one part of the central auditory pathway, namely the auditory midbrain. The author has concentrated on the inferior colliculus, the principal midbrain structure concerned with hearing, but, in addition, has included the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and the deep layers of the superior colliculus. In mammals, the auditory midbrain acts as an integrating centre for relaying information to acoustically responsive areas of the cerebral cortex and is required for many reflex and perceptual functions, while in submammalian vertebrates it represents the primary centre for the processing of auditory information. Moreover, the extensive studies that have been carried out on this region in both adult and developing animals have yielded valuable insights into the overall functional organization of the auditory system, as well as contributing to our understanding of more general issues in neurobiology. After a short introductory chapter, Dr Aitkin begins with a brief description of the auditory brainstem, emphasizing that different aspects of an acoustic stimulus appear to be processed in parallel. This is followed by a critical appraisal of the role of the midbrain in normal acoustic behaviour as revealed by the behavioural consequences of lesions of this region. The cytoarchitecture and synaptic organization of the auditory midbrain, and in particular, the inferior colliculus are then reviewed. The next few chapters deal with, in turn, the tonotopic organization of the different parts of the auditory midbrain, their afferent and efferent connections,
128.
L. AITKIN. Humana
Press,
Clifton,
and the response characteristics of units found there, mcluding the effects of changes in stimulus intensity and frequency on firing patterns. Apart from a chapter on t-he development of the inferior colliculus. Dr Aitkin devotes the rest of the book to the functional organization of the auditory midbrain. Firstly, the neural mechanisms responsible for sound localization are discussed in relation to the midbrain. This chapter comprises a detailed account of the responses of cells to variations in inter-aural disparities and to sounds presented in free space, together with an evaluation of the evidence for a topographical representation of auditory space in the barn owl midbrain and in the mammalian inferior colliculus and superior colliculus. Finally, a chapter is included on the role of the auditory midbrain in acousticomotor behaviour. This book is attractively presented and is written in a clear and informal style. It is, in general, organized in a logical and systematic manner, with frequent cross-referencing between chapters, and is appropriately illustrated with a mixture of figures reproduced from original publications and those drawn specifically for the author. The composition of much of the book reflects Dr Aitkin’s own interests, with a strong emphasis on experiments carried out on the cat, which has been the principal animal used in studies of the auditory midbrain. He has concentrated on what he regards as a number of key issues and, in so doing, has produced a concise description of the literature relating to these areas, supplemented by his own careful arguments. What I particularly liked, was that, throughout the book, Dr Aitkin offers a detailed and critical assessment of the experimental techniques that have been used for addressing particular questions, interspersed with suggestions for possible directions of future research. Whilst accepting that the author has deliberately attempted to be selective in his treatment of this subject, I do feel, however, that certain key experiments have been left out. For example, I found it a little surprising that there was no mention of the work demonstrating plasticity in the auditory representation in the midbrain of the barn owl in the chapter dealing with