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Can schizophrenia be localized in the brain?
Can Schizophrenia be Localized in the Brain?
slum presented in Los Angeles in mid 1980s. The theme of localiza1984. Nonetheless, this collection tion proclaimed in the title (by the of five papers still manages to way the syntactic emphasis is on edited by Nancy C. Andreasen, capture a feeling of topicality, 'localized') is not a preoccupation American Psychiatric Press, 1986. since although the contributions in the book, and in fact a remark$15.00 (x + 87 pages) ISBN 0 521 are slightly over two years old, ably broad coverage is achieved. 332753 they still manage to give a very Topics range from neuropatholAngus V. P. Here is good value for money. decent impression of the 'state of ogy, neurochemistry and brain Mackay This small hard-cover book is one the art' in biological approaches imaging through neuropsycholArgy//andBute of a new series entitled 'Progress to schizophrenia. ogy to psychogenetics. The Hospital, in Psychiatry' edited by David The text is written in a re- standard of summary throughout Lochgilphead,Argyll Spiegel and published by the freshingly clear and to-the-point is remarkably high - the text is PA318LD,UI( American Psychiatric Press. The way and there is remarkable uni- dense with information that is aims of this interesting initiative formity in the way the five contri- well referenced but easily are to provide published collec- butions are set out, which must digested. tions of the cream of symposia be to the credit of Nancy The market might best be proceedings from the annual Andreasen and David Spiegel. defined as the psychiatrist with a meetings of the American The book is only 87 pages long special interest in neurobiology Psychiatric Association. The and each chapter is sub-divided who wants to update himself on choice is made by the Symposium into several clearly-headed sec- schizophrenia with a view to Sub-Committee of the Scientific tions, some only a brief paragraph being well informed when Programme Committee of the long. Nancy Andreasen edits this teaching his trainees. As a cramAPA, and symposium contribu- particular volume and also pro- mer course for the trainee who tors are asked to provide manu- vides two chapters, the others has spotted this question in the scripts for publication as quickly coming from Morihisa and Wein- exams there may be some overas possible following presenta- berger, Nasrallah, and the kill, but the book is a definite tion. As bulletins rather than Reveleys. The subject matter must for every departmental exhaustive reviews, these publi- covers the mainstream of neuro- psychiatric library. The editor and cations will succeed or fail on the biological interest in schizophre- contributors are to be congratubasis of publication speed. It is a nia, and provides a sort of quick lated on their disciplined presenlittle surprising, therefore, given refresher and reference source tation of so much within such a the hard business-like approach that leaves the reader feeling short space, and the APA must of American editors, that this smugly familiar with all that is likewise be given credit for a 1986 edition reports on a sympo- worth knowing in this area in the useful initiative. llllliil
' IIIII
Philosophy and the Brain by J. Z. Young, Oxford University Press, 1987. £12.95 (xiii + 233 pages) ISBN 0 19 219215 9 David Rose
CresapNeuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University,Evanston, IL60201,USA.
384
Originally based on a series of lectures entitled 'Philosophers use your brains', this book's aim is not only to educate philosophers about the advantages of knowing neuroscience, but to establish a two-way flow of ideas that can benefit neuroscientists as well as philosophers. Neuroscience does not exist in isolation from other areas of enquiry. There are reasons for researching the brain other than the obvious medical ones. Happiness depends on understanding as well as on health, and the understanding of ourselves is fundamental. Young takes on the valuable task of trying to tie in the knowledge we have gleaned so far about the contents and happenings in our brains with the subjective sensation of being a conscious human, and thus to extend the depth of
understanding that each special- and closing quarters of the book ity has so far been able to provide The first part in particular contains on its own. an admirable and closely reasYoung admits that the discus- oned development of a terminsions in this short book do not go ology by which Young expresses very deep either philosophically with precision his view of the or scientifically. However, his aim nature of mind, the essential is simply to draw some bridges functions of the brain and the between the two disciplines, way in which they are implewithout bogging down readers mented. This section cannot be from either side in a morass of sampled but must be read indigestible details from the through as a whole to follow opposite speciality. This is be- the build-up of the definitions. cause the author has a third audi- Nevertheless, at the risk of having ence in mind also, the 'students some of his terms misunderstood, and lay people who are con- I will try to summarize. Young cerned about fundamental prob- argues that systems at all levels, lems of life and human nature'. from DNA to the whole brain, To them, the book will indeed must select which program of provide an enlightening introduc- action to implement, basing this tion, and a case could certainly choice upon their past experiences be made for recommending this (memory) and the incoming inbook to students coming into formation of the moment (perbrain research needing broad ception). The essential informaoverview of where the field fits, tion in a biological signal is its and its relationship to life in gen- ability to delay the inevitable ineral (both mental and biological). crease of entropy. In order to be Neuroscientists will probably stable, a system must embody derive most benefit from the representations of programs of philosophically oriented opening action that have proved approTINS, Vol. 10, No. 9, 1987
slum presented in Los Angeles in mid 1980s. The theme of localiza1984. Nonetheless, this collection tion proclaimed in the title (by the of five papers still manages to way the syntactic emphasis is on edited by Nancy C. Andreasen, capture a feeling of topicality, 'localized') is not a preoccupation American Psychiatric Press, 1986. since although the contributions in the book, and in fact a remark$15.00 (x + 87 pages) ISBN 0 521 are slightly over two years old, ably broad coverage is achieved. 332753 they still manage to give a very Topics range from neuropatholAngus V. P. Here is good value for money. decent impression of the 'state of ogy, neurochemistry and brain Mackay This small hard-cover book is one the art' in biological approaches imaging through neuropsycholArgy//andBute of a new series entitled 'Progress to schizophrenia. ogy to psychogenetics. The Hospital, in Psychiatry' edited by David The text is written in a re- standard of summary throughout Lochgilphead,Argyll Spiegel and published by the freshingly clear and to-the-point is remarkably high - the text is PA318LD,UI( American Psychiatric Press. The way and there is remarkable uni- dense with information that is aims of this interesting initiative formity in the way the five contri- well referenced but easily are to provide published collec- butions are set out, which must digested. tions of the cream of symposia be to the credit of Nancy The market might best be proceedings from the annual Andreasen and David Spiegel. defined as the psychiatrist with a meetings of the American The book is only 87 pages long special interest in neurobiology Psychiatric Association. The and each chapter is sub-divided who wants to update himself on choice is made by the Symposium into several clearly-headed sec- schizophrenia with a view to Sub-Committee of the Scientific tions, some only a brief paragraph being well informed when Programme Committee of the long. Nancy Andreasen edits this teaching his trainees. As a cramAPA, and symposium contribu- particular volume and also pro- mer course for the trainee who tors are asked to provide manu- vides two chapters, the others has spotted this question in the scripts for publication as quickly coming from Morihisa and Wein- exams there may be some overas possible following presenta- berger, Nasrallah, and the kill, but the book is a definite tion. As bulletins rather than Reveleys. The subject matter must for every departmental exhaustive reviews, these publi- covers the mainstream of neuro- psychiatric library. The editor and cations will succeed or fail on the biological interest in schizophre- contributors are to be congratubasis of publication speed. It is a nia, and provides a sort of quick lated on their disciplined presenlittle surprising, therefore, given refresher and reference source tation of so much within such a the hard business-like approach that leaves the reader feeling short space, and the APA must of American editors, that this smugly familiar with all that is likewise be given credit for a 1986 edition reports on a sympo- worth knowing in this area in the useful initiative. llllliil
' IIIII
Philosophy and the Brain by J. Z. Young, Oxford University Press, 1987. £12.95 (xiii + 233 pages) ISBN 0 19 219215 9 David Rose
CresapNeuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University,Evanston, IL60201,USA.
384
Originally based on a series of lectures entitled 'Philosophers use your brains', this book's aim is not only to educate philosophers about the advantages of knowing neuroscience, but to establish a two-way flow of ideas that can benefit neuroscientists as well as philosophers. Neuroscience does not exist in isolation from other areas of enquiry. There are reasons for researching the brain other than the obvious medical ones. Happiness depends on understanding as well as on health, and the understanding of ourselves is fundamental. Young takes on the valuable task of trying to tie in the knowledge we have gleaned so far about the contents and happenings in our brains with the subjective sensation of being a conscious human, and thus to extend the depth of
understanding that each special- and closing quarters of the book ity has so far been able to provide The first part in particular contains on its own. an admirable and closely reasYoung admits that the discus- oned development of a terminsions in this short book do not go ology by which Young expresses very deep either philosophically with precision his view of the or scientifically. However, his aim nature of mind, the essential is simply to draw some bridges functions of the brain and the between the two disciplines, way in which they are implewithout bogging down readers mented. This section cannot be from either side in a morass of sampled but must be read indigestible details from the through as a whole to follow opposite speciality. This is be- the build-up of the definitions. cause the author has a third audi- Nevertheless, at the risk of having ence in mind also, the 'students some of his terms misunderstood, and lay people who are con- I will try to summarize. Young cerned about fundamental prob- argues that systems at all levels, lems of life and human nature'. from DNA to the whole brain, To them, the book will indeed must select which program of provide an enlightening introduc- action to implement, basing this tion, and a case could certainly choice upon their past experiences be made for recommending this (memory) and the incoming inbook to students coming into formation of the moment (perbrain research needing broad ception). The essential informaoverview of where the field fits, tion in a biological signal is its and its relationship to life in gen- ability to delay the inevitable ineral (both mental and biological). crease of entropy. In order to be Neuroscientists will probably stable, a system must embody derive most benefit from the representations of programs of philosophically oriented opening action that have proved approTINS, Vol. 10, No. 9, 1987