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Tuberculous meningitis: Tuberculomas and spinal tuberculosis
Journal of the NeurologicalSciences, 1988, 86:361-362
361
Elsevier
Book reviews
Tuberculous Meningitis: Tuberculomas and Spinal Tuberculosis. A H a n d b o o k for Clinic i a n s , 2 n d e d i t i o n , b y M a l c o l m P a r s o n s , O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d , 1988, £ 1 5 . 0 0 This little monograph is an ideal quick and up to date guide to the proper recognition and treatment of a disease that, by virtue of its recession in the Western world poses a pitfall for the unwary diagnostician and clinician. Well balanced, lucidly written, unreservedly recommended. G.W. BRUYN
The Making of the Nervous System, b y J . G . P a r n a v e l a s , C . D . S t e m a n d R . V . S t e r l i n g ( E d s . ) , O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d , I S B N 0 - 1 9 - 8 5 4 2 2 4 - 0 , 1988, £50.00. The plethora of facts and figures produced by the availability of powerful neurobiological techniques can be an intrinsic danger to the understanding of "The Making of the Nervous System". Part I and II are directed towards the production of cell diversity and early pattern formation, both related to cell interactions. The only objection to these chapters is that the philosophical and mathematical problems in understanding the relation between cell diversity and early pattern formation are not dealt with. Part III contains studies on molecules and guidance pathways. The chapter on neural crest migration during the early development is good. However, the migratory pathways have been described already by Milaire in the mouse and the shark using alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, within the whole chapter on derivatives of trunk neural crest cells no mention is made on the contribution of placodes to the peripheral nervous system. The parts in this chapter on guidance and direction of outgrowing axons are excellent, although more attention could have been directed to the work of Varon and his group on "growth factors". Perhaps the chapter on roles of glia and neural crest cells in creating axon pathways could have been placed by the editors directly following the chapter on guidance of neural crest migration during the early development. Part IV on shaping the existing ontogenetic pattern reads well; but it can be doubted whether students possess enough knowledge to comprehend this chapter. An exception is the article of Fawcett on retinotopic maps, which is well illustrated and cleverly organized. Part V concerns differentiative events and starts with a chapter of Andrew Matus on microtubule associated protein. It is a pity that this chapter has not been related to the longitudinal pattern formation present in the mammalian cerebellum. The book ends with a chapter of Berry and Sadler on the factors influencing the development of dendritic form. Berry's articles on Purkinje cell development always stand for quality. E. MARANI
Neuropeptides and Brain Function, Progress in Brain Research, VoL 72, b y E. R. d e K l o e t , V. M . W i e g a n t a n d D . d e W i e d ( E d s . ) , Elsevier, A m s t e r d a m , 1987, xiv + 346 p a g e s , Dfl. 290.00. Another addition to the avalanche of neuroscience books; automatically one wonders, is it just another book on neuropeptides or would it be possible to find new information in it?
361
Elsevier
Book reviews
Tuberculous Meningitis: Tuberculomas and Spinal Tuberculosis. A H a n d b o o k for Clinic i a n s , 2 n d e d i t i o n , b y M a l c o l m P a r s o n s , O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d , 1988, £ 1 5 . 0 0 This little monograph is an ideal quick and up to date guide to the proper recognition and treatment of a disease that, by virtue of its recession in the Western world poses a pitfall for the unwary diagnostician and clinician. Well balanced, lucidly written, unreservedly recommended. G.W. BRUYN
The Making of the Nervous System, b y J . G . P a r n a v e l a s , C . D . S t e m a n d R . V . S t e r l i n g ( E d s . ) , O x f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , O x f o r d , I S B N 0 - 1 9 - 8 5 4 2 2 4 - 0 , 1988, £50.00. The plethora of facts and figures produced by the availability of powerful neurobiological techniques can be an intrinsic danger to the understanding of "The Making of the Nervous System". Part I and II are directed towards the production of cell diversity and early pattern formation, both related to cell interactions. The only objection to these chapters is that the philosophical and mathematical problems in understanding the relation between cell diversity and early pattern formation are not dealt with. Part III contains studies on molecules and guidance pathways. The chapter on neural crest migration during the early development is good. However, the migratory pathways have been described already by Milaire in the mouse and the shark using alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, within the whole chapter on derivatives of trunk neural crest cells no mention is made on the contribution of placodes to the peripheral nervous system. The parts in this chapter on guidance and direction of outgrowing axons are excellent, although more attention could have been directed to the work of Varon and his group on "growth factors". Perhaps the chapter on roles of glia and neural crest cells in creating axon pathways could have been placed by the editors directly following the chapter on guidance of neural crest migration during the early development. Part IV on shaping the existing ontogenetic pattern reads well; but it can be doubted whether students possess enough knowledge to comprehend this chapter. An exception is the article of Fawcett on retinotopic maps, which is well illustrated and cleverly organized. Part V concerns differentiative events and starts with a chapter of Andrew Matus on microtubule associated protein. It is a pity that this chapter has not been related to the longitudinal pattern formation present in the mammalian cerebellum. The book ends with a chapter of Berry and Sadler on the factors influencing the development of dendritic form. Berry's articles on Purkinje cell development always stand for quality. E. MARANI
Neuropeptides and Brain Function, Progress in Brain Research, VoL 72, b y E. R. d e K l o e t , V. M . W i e g a n t a n d D . d e W i e d ( E d s . ) , Elsevier, A m s t e r d a m , 1987, xiv + 346 p a g e s , Dfl. 290.00. Another addition to the avalanche of neuroscience books; automatically one wonders, is it just another book on neuropeptides or would it be possible to find new information in it?