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Clinical and experimental neuropsychophysiology
BOOK REVIEWS
The hippocampus, Vol. 4. - - R.L. Isaacson and K.H. Pribram (Eds.) (Plenum, New York, 1986, 374 p., U.S $57.50) Tins second companion volume deals p n m a n l y with the role of the Inppocampus (H) m the ecology of the brain in regulating behavior and experience While the other book was mainly neurochermcal, physiological and anatormcal, tlns one is especially psychological in scope The first of 11 chapters is by Gabriel et al and is appropriately entitled 'An executive function of the hlppocampus_' Evadence would suggest that phylogenetlcally newer structures of the cortex are involved in suppressive control over the older structures of the dlencephalon "*inch provides the excitatory dnve The telencephalon either allows tnggerlng of behavioral outputs or negatwely feedbacks to hrrut the excitation and it ~s the H that deterrmnes which of the two modes operates at any given moment Further interesting points m tins chapter are that memory includes item storage, but also a second form m winch items enter new associations The H ensures that a given volley at the right moment ~s present with the correct set of tomc and phasic influences The next chapter (Vertes) is equally intriguing and argues that the H theta rhythm is under control of the nucleus pontls orahs and desynchromzatlon is controlled by the median raphe nucleus The reticular nucleus, ponus orahs, is critically involved m controlhng the type of information stored in the H since the theta rhythm serves as an ~mportant signal to the H to store information reaching it from other sources Further studies on brain-stem centers controlhng the H include the chapter by Wmson who shows that these deep centers modulate the excltablhty of the H neurons through norepmephrlne and serotonln changes The next two chapters explore the H through lesion experiments The first (Jarrard) clearly spells out 3 findings (1) removal of most cells of the H leads to only n~nor temporary effects, (2) greater effect on behavmr is found when the main connections of the H are damaged, and (3) importance of the sublculum with the H is underscored in influencing behavior The next chapter (lsaacson et al_) points to the d~verslty of the effects produced by H lesions in a simple testing s~tuatlon, especially the induction of hyperactlvRy Memory_ will always be an important theme in H studies and Gray and Rawhns return to tins function Their results generate a fascinating hypothesis, VlZ, that the septoinppocampal system produces predictions about the next likely sensory inputs and compares these predictions to the actual mputs_ The overall system monitors the success of the ammal's motor programs, detects 'mismatch' and takes control over behavior in order to operate the outputs of the behavioral mhlintxon system An interesting corollary is that ante-anxiety drugs at low doses disrupt the system's capacity to detect mismatch and at Ingh doses disrupt the capacity to act as a memory buffer by acting d~rectly on the H Berger et al extend the role of the H into classically condlttoned behawors, m addition to a major modulatory role In modifying learned behaviors Memory is further studied by Mahut and Moss, who deal with the effect of lesions m two age groups on two different types of processes Olton's chapter further extends
587
these functions, as does Gerbrandt et al who provide evidence that deficits from temporal lobectomy are a simple and direct function of the amount of damage to the H The final chapter by P n b r a m summarizes his clever, intricate concepts from findings over decades of expenmentatlon, in hopes of disproving that the H is the ' bl a c k hole' of the neurosciences This book, like its companion, is very well done, free of any major errors, and full of high level, neuroscientlfiC material Compared to the other volume, this one deals less with the hlppocampus as a model for general brain function and more specifically addresses the interesting specml functions of tins structure This reviewer recommends this book to any neuroscientist interested In the latest data and concepts about the function of this fascinating structure John R Hughes
Unwersttv of llfinols Medical Center, Chtcago, IL 00612 ( U S A )
Clinical and experimental neuropsychophysiolog3 - - D. Papakostopoulos, S. Butler and I Martin (Eds.) (Creem Helm, London, 1985, 758 p., £ 45.00) The editors of this volume present a broad samphng of the latest methods and findings in experimental neurosclence The contnbutmns demand a working farmllar, ty with the language and concepts of fundamental research m tins branch of sc,ence For the lmUated, the body of data and insights promtses to be of considerable benefit, also to the chmclan faced with delicate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions The research scientist will find respiration in the subtle experimental designs described Careful discussions of the findings are s t and ard The work Is d~vlded into 5 mare parts 'Evoked responses,' 'Slow-wave phenomena,' 'Electroencephalography," 'Autonormc and skeleto-motor activaty' and 'lnterdlsc,phnary studles," the first being the largest section Concomitants of v~sual processing comprise a major portion of the evoked potential dlscuss~ons The common denominator underlying all 31 contnbutlons IS electropbyslology, as measured by the parameters EP, EEG, EMG, SRR, to name those most prominent among the variables investigated The chnlcal topics addressed range widely, from such as tension headaches to coronary prone behavmur to psychopathologaes and are smtably hsted m the subject index, a welcome courtesy The researcher will also be satisfied to find ample behavloural and methodological md~ces for facdltated reference The invited authors are well known and respected by their colleagues in the field and have, m collecuve appraisal, managed to present extremely sopinsticated matenal m a manner the dedicated chmclan will welcome Susan C Ethnger
lnstttute of PsvcholoKv, Unmerstty of Vienna, Vsenna (Austrta)
The hippocampus, Vol. 4. - - R.L. Isaacson and K.H. Pribram (Eds.) (Plenum, New York, 1986, 374 p., U.S $57.50) Tins second companion volume deals p n m a n l y with the role of the Inppocampus (H) m the ecology of the brain in regulating behavior and experience While the other book was mainly neurochermcal, physiological and anatormcal, tlns one is especially psychological in scope The first of 11 chapters is by Gabriel et al and is appropriately entitled 'An executive function of the hlppocampus_' Evadence would suggest that phylogenetlcally newer structures of the cortex are involved in suppressive control over the older structures of the dlencephalon "*inch provides the excitatory dnve The telencephalon either allows tnggerlng of behavioral outputs or negatwely feedbacks to hrrut the excitation and it ~s the H that deterrmnes which of the two modes operates at any given moment Further interesting points m tins chapter are that memory includes item storage, but also a second form m winch items enter new associations The H ensures that a given volley at the right moment ~s present with the correct set of tomc and phasic influences The next chapter (Vertes) is equally intriguing and argues that the H theta rhythm is under control of the nucleus pontls orahs and desynchromzatlon is controlled by the median raphe nucleus The reticular nucleus, ponus orahs, is critically involved m controlhng the type of information stored in the H since the theta rhythm serves as an ~mportant signal to the H to store information reaching it from other sources Further studies on brain-stem centers controlhng the H include the chapter by Wmson who shows that these deep centers modulate the excltablhty of the H neurons through norepmephrlne and serotonln changes The next two chapters explore the H through lesion experiments The first (Jarrard) clearly spells out 3 findings (1) removal of most cells of the H leads to only n~nor temporary effects, (2) greater effect on behavmr is found when the main connections of the H are damaged, and (3) importance of the sublculum with the H is underscored in influencing behavior The next chapter (lsaacson et al_) points to the d~verslty of the effects produced by H lesions in a simple testing s~tuatlon, especially the induction of hyperactlvRy Memory_ will always be an important theme in H studies and Gray and Rawhns return to tins function Their results generate a fascinating hypothesis, VlZ, that the septoinppocampal system produces predictions about the next likely sensory inputs and compares these predictions to the actual mputs_ The overall system monitors the success of the ammal's motor programs, detects 'mismatch' and takes control over behavior in order to operate the outputs of the behavioral mhlintxon system An interesting corollary is that ante-anxiety drugs at low doses disrupt the system's capacity to detect mismatch and at Ingh doses disrupt the capacity to act as a memory buffer by acting d~rectly on the H Berger et al extend the role of the H into classically condlttoned behawors, m addition to a major modulatory role In modifying learned behaviors Memory is further studied by Mahut and Moss, who deal with the effect of lesions m two age groups on two different types of processes Olton's chapter further extends
587
these functions, as does Gerbrandt et al who provide evidence that deficits from temporal lobectomy are a simple and direct function of the amount of damage to the H The final chapter by P n b r a m summarizes his clever, intricate concepts from findings over decades of expenmentatlon, in hopes of disproving that the H is the ' bl a c k hole' of the neurosciences This book, like its companion, is very well done, free of any major errors, and full of high level, neuroscientlfiC material Compared to the other volume, this one deals less with the hlppocampus as a model for general brain function and more specifically addresses the interesting specml functions of tins structure This reviewer recommends this book to any neuroscientist interested In the latest data and concepts about the function of this fascinating structure John R Hughes
Unwersttv of llfinols Medical Center, Chtcago, IL 00612 ( U S A )
Clinical and experimental neuropsychophysiolog3 - - D. Papakostopoulos, S. Butler and I Martin (Eds.) (Creem Helm, London, 1985, 758 p., £ 45.00) The editors of this volume present a broad samphng of the latest methods and findings in experimental neurosclence The contnbutmns demand a working farmllar, ty with the language and concepts of fundamental research m tins branch of sc,ence For the lmUated, the body of data and insights promtses to be of considerable benefit, also to the chmclan faced with delicate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions The research scientist will find respiration in the subtle experimental designs described Careful discussions of the findings are s t and ard The work Is d~vlded into 5 mare parts 'Evoked responses,' 'Slow-wave phenomena,' 'Electroencephalography," 'Autonormc and skeleto-motor activaty' and 'lnterdlsc,phnary studles," the first being the largest section Concomitants of v~sual processing comprise a major portion of the evoked potential dlscuss~ons The common denominator underlying all 31 contnbutlons IS electropbyslology, as measured by the parameters EP, EEG, EMG, SRR, to name those most prominent among the variables investigated The chnlcal topics addressed range widely, from such as tension headaches to coronary prone behavmur to psychopathologaes and are smtably hsted m the subject index, a welcome courtesy The researcher will also be satisfied to find ample behavloural and methodological md~ces for facdltated reference The invited authors are well known and respected by their colleagues in the field and have, m collecuve appraisal, managed to present extremely sopinsticated matenal m a manner the dedicated chmclan will welcome Susan C Ethnger
lnstttute of PsvcholoKv, Unmerstty of Vienna, Vsenna (Austrta)