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The Biochemistry of Migraine
Pathology (1986), 18, p.p. 169-174
BOOK REVIEWS
International Review of Experimental Pathology, Vol. 27. G. W. RICHTER ANDM.A. EPSTEIN, eds. 1985 Academic Press Inc., Orlando, Florida. $59.00/f59.00 ISBN 0-12-364927-7 pp. 246, illustrated. This issue contains six review articles but considering the almost unlimited spread of interests covered under the umbrella of experimental pathology, five of the six articles may have a restricted appeal as they are on topics which are directed to immunologists or biochemists with an interest in cancer. A. Zuckerman who has worked o n this topic for many years discusses the possibility of preventing primary hepatocellular carcinoma by immunization against hepatitis B virus. It is generally recognized that about 75% of all cases of primary hepatocellular carcinomas result from infection with the virus and it is most encouraging that early vaccination prevents infection by the virus. The first vaccine comprized the viral surface antigen HbsAg, isolated from the plasma of carriers, but there are now good prospects that cheaper and safe vaccines will be made by synthetic approaches. Ever since its discovery, the Epstein-Barr virus excited great interest as the possible etiological agent in a number of malignant states. D. Purtilo and colleagues discuss EBV as an etiological agent in the pathogenesis of lympho-proliferative and aproliferative diseases in immune deficient patients. The authors’ main thrust is that an individual’s immune competence determines whether the variety of malignancies associated with infection by the virus will occur or whether a silent infection ensues. Like infectious mononucleosis, Hodgkin’s disease is also a malignancy of clonal origin but the origin of this cell is still unclear. M. Schaadt and colleagues describe the use of monoclonal antibodies and specific functional tests to solve this riddle but the solution is still elusive. A favoured candidate is the dendritic cell, described originally by Steinman and coworkers. U. Thorgensson and colleagues discuss how cancer cells metastasize in their article on cancer cells, components of basement membranes and proteolytic enzymes. As cancer becomes more amenable to treatment before metastasis, increasing attention is being given to the process of metastasis and whether the potential of a tumour to metastasize can be predicted. The most likely way may he by genetic analysis, to detect either new or enhanced expressions of particular activities. M. Pepys and colleagues discuss C-reactive protein. Known for many years, the function of this protein is not at all clear but recent evidence points to a link with plasma lipoprotein metabolism. The first article, by G. Rodda and D. Taylor is about the application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in non-invasive analyses of biological tissues and the particular pathological disorders which could most benefit from this technique. This article will especially interest those interested in normal and changed biochemical reactions in tissues. All the articles are well written and authoritative. It is a pity that a relatively slim volume, 230 plus pages, should be so expensive as to make it likely to be bought only by libraries.
G . L . Adu
The Biochemistry of Migraine, M. J . EADIEA N D J . H. TYRER.M T P Press Ltd., Lancaster, Boston The Hague, Dordrecht (Aust. Distr. D. A. Book (Australia), Melbourne 1985. $74.50 ISBN 0-85200-731-0 pp. 216, figures. The application in recent years of scientific method t o the study of migraine and allied “idiopathic headaches”, has led to abundance of data awaiting synthesis. The present authors combine their extensive clinical and laboratory experience t o attempt this difficult task. Clinical
features and observations on cerebral blood flow, platelet function and muscle contraction are presented as a prelude to the biochemical changes that have been described in amines, kinins, prostaglandins and other substances during migraine headache. The reviewer would take issue with one point, and one point only, in this section. In the neural hypothesis of migraine, the noradrenergic nucleus locus ceruleus is thought to influence cortical function and microcirculation by a direct intrinsic pathway, not by vasomotor fibres running in the facial nerve as stated, the latter pathway being responsible for ensuing extracranial vasodilatation through connections in the sphenopalatine ganglion. The authors summarize apparently opposing views of the pathogenesis of migraine and come down firmly on the side of the vascular-serotonin theory because it fits the known biochemical changes and pharmacological evidence better than the neural theory which is difficult to test adequately in migrainous patients. Perhaps the two theories are complementary rather than in opposition but only time will tell. The strength of this book is in its meticulous analysis of past and current literature concerning the biochemical changes of migraine and the thoughtful way in which these are related to clinical phenomena and the basis of therapy. The book concludes with sections on cluster headache and future lines of research. It will be a valuable source of reference for pathologists or clinicians interested in this common and debilitating problem and I for one will keep it placed within easy reach of my desk.
James W . Lance
Practical Aspiration Cytology 1984. D A V I D MELCHER, JOHNLINEHAN A N D RUSSELLSMITH.Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, London, Melbourne, New York. $70 ISBN 0-443002633-5 pp. 230, illustrated. According to the Preface, this book is intended as a laboratory bench book for the beginner in fine-needle aspiration cytology while at the same time designed to remain in the low price range. In adopting this policy, the authors have set themselves an extremely difficult task. A bench book is expected to cover fully at least the more common processes encountered in all organs and tissues accessible to fine-needle aspiration biopsy. This, in effect, means nearly the whole field of surgical pathology. In this book there are chapters o n the breast, thyroid, salivary glands, prostate, thorax, abdomen (liver, pancreas, kidney), supporting tissues and lymph nodes, as well as a general technique chapter and a chapter on methods to identify B and T lymphocytes in smears. The necessity to keep the compact format, however, has led to a rather uneven coverage; whereas the breast, thyroid, salivary glands and, in particular, lymph nodes are covered in some detail, the prostate, thorax, abdomen and soft tissues are dealt with briefly in an anecdotal fashion. Keeping the text brief inevitably has led to some categorical statements, oversimplifications and lack of discussion of differential diagnostic problems which may give the beginner an unrealistic impression that diagnosis by this method is usually straightforward. This lack of detail could perhaps have been compensated for by more comprehensive references, particularly to review articles and monographs; however, references are limited, fewer than half a dozen are given in some chapters. Some reference to supplementary techniques, such as special stains, ummunocytochemistry (not only in relation to lymph node cytology) and electron microscopy, would also have been desirable. The black and white illustrations are, with some exceptions, of very good quality, and here lies its strength. Thus, the highlight of the book is the chapter on lymph nodes which is extremely well illustrated.
BOOK REVIEWS
International Review of Experimental Pathology, Vol. 27. G. W. RICHTER ANDM.A. EPSTEIN, eds. 1985 Academic Press Inc., Orlando, Florida. $59.00/f59.00 ISBN 0-12-364927-7 pp. 246, illustrated. This issue contains six review articles but considering the almost unlimited spread of interests covered under the umbrella of experimental pathology, five of the six articles may have a restricted appeal as they are on topics which are directed to immunologists or biochemists with an interest in cancer. A. Zuckerman who has worked o n this topic for many years discusses the possibility of preventing primary hepatocellular carcinoma by immunization against hepatitis B virus. It is generally recognized that about 75% of all cases of primary hepatocellular carcinomas result from infection with the virus and it is most encouraging that early vaccination prevents infection by the virus. The first vaccine comprized the viral surface antigen HbsAg, isolated from the plasma of carriers, but there are now good prospects that cheaper and safe vaccines will be made by synthetic approaches. Ever since its discovery, the Epstein-Barr virus excited great interest as the possible etiological agent in a number of malignant states. D. Purtilo and colleagues discuss EBV as an etiological agent in the pathogenesis of lympho-proliferative and aproliferative diseases in immune deficient patients. The authors’ main thrust is that an individual’s immune competence determines whether the variety of malignancies associated with infection by the virus will occur or whether a silent infection ensues. Like infectious mononucleosis, Hodgkin’s disease is also a malignancy of clonal origin but the origin of this cell is still unclear. M. Schaadt and colleagues describe the use of monoclonal antibodies and specific functional tests to solve this riddle but the solution is still elusive. A favoured candidate is the dendritic cell, described originally by Steinman and coworkers. U. Thorgensson and colleagues discuss how cancer cells metastasize in their article on cancer cells, components of basement membranes and proteolytic enzymes. As cancer becomes more amenable to treatment before metastasis, increasing attention is being given to the process of metastasis and whether the potential of a tumour to metastasize can be predicted. The most likely way may he by genetic analysis, to detect either new or enhanced expressions of particular activities. M. Pepys and colleagues discuss C-reactive protein. Known for many years, the function of this protein is not at all clear but recent evidence points to a link with plasma lipoprotein metabolism. The first article, by G. Rodda and D. Taylor is about the application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in non-invasive analyses of biological tissues and the particular pathological disorders which could most benefit from this technique. This article will especially interest those interested in normal and changed biochemical reactions in tissues. All the articles are well written and authoritative. It is a pity that a relatively slim volume, 230 plus pages, should be so expensive as to make it likely to be bought only by libraries.
G . L . Adu
The Biochemistry of Migraine, M. J . EADIEA N D J . H. TYRER.M T P Press Ltd., Lancaster, Boston The Hague, Dordrecht (Aust. Distr. D. A. Book (Australia), Melbourne 1985. $74.50 ISBN 0-85200-731-0 pp. 216, figures. The application in recent years of scientific method t o the study of migraine and allied “idiopathic headaches”, has led to abundance of data awaiting synthesis. The present authors combine their extensive clinical and laboratory experience t o attempt this difficult task. Clinical
features and observations on cerebral blood flow, platelet function and muscle contraction are presented as a prelude to the biochemical changes that have been described in amines, kinins, prostaglandins and other substances during migraine headache. The reviewer would take issue with one point, and one point only, in this section. In the neural hypothesis of migraine, the noradrenergic nucleus locus ceruleus is thought to influence cortical function and microcirculation by a direct intrinsic pathway, not by vasomotor fibres running in the facial nerve as stated, the latter pathway being responsible for ensuing extracranial vasodilatation through connections in the sphenopalatine ganglion. The authors summarize apparently opposing views of the pathogenesis of migraine and come down firmly on the side of the vascular-serotonin theory because it fits the known biochemical changes and pharmacological evidence better than the neural theory which is difficult to test adequately in migrainous patients. Perhaps the two theories are complementary rather than in opposition but only time will tell. The strength of this book is in its meticulous analysis of past and current literature concerning the biochemical changes of migraine and the thoughtful way in which these are related to clinical phenomena and the basis of therapy. The book concludes with sections on cluster headache and future lines of research. It will be a valuable source of reference for pathologists or clinicians interested in this common and debilitating problem and I for one will keep it placed within easy reach of my desk.
James W . Lance
Practical Aspiration Cytology 1984. D A V I D MELCHER, JOHNLINEHAN A N D RUSSELLSMITH.Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, London, Melbourne, New York. $70 ISBN 0-443002633-5 pp. 230, illustrated. According to the Preface, this book is intended as a laboratory bench book for the beginner in fine-needle aspiration cytology while at the same time designed to remain in the low price range. In adopting this policy, the authors have set themselves an extremely difficult task. A bench book is expected to cover fully at least the more common processes encountered in all organs and tissues accessible to fine-needle aspiration biopsy. This, in effect, means nearly the whole field of surgical pathology. In this book there are chapters o n the breast, thyroid, salivary glands, prostate, thorax, abdomen (liver, pancreas, kidney), supporting tissues and lymph nodes, as well as a general technique chapter and a chapter on methods to identify B and T lymphocytes in smears. The necessity to keep the compact format, however, has led to a rather uneven coverage; whereas the breast, thyroid, salivary glands and, in particular, lymph nodes are covered in some detail, the prostate, thorax, abdomen and soft tissues are dealt with briefly in an anecdotal fashion. Keeping the text brief inevitably has led to some categorical statements, oversimplifications and lack of discussion of differential diagnostic problems which may give the beginner an unrealistic impression that diagnosis by this method is usually straightforward. This lack of detail could perhaps have been compensated for by more comprehensive references, particularly to review articles and monographs; however, references are limited, fewer than half a dozen are given in some chapters. Some reference to supplementary techniques, such as special stains, ummunocytochemistry (not only in relation to lymph node cytology) and electron microscopy, would also have been desirable. The black and white illustrations are, with some exceptions, of very good quality, and here lies its strength. Thus, the highlight of the book is the chapter on lymph nodes which is extremely well illustrated.