Book

Book Reviews in this Article Brian Norht (ed.). Jamieson's first notebook of head injury, 3 ed. Butterworth, London, 1984. Pp. 100. £ 6.00. Neil Brooks (ed.). Closed head injury. Psychological, social, and family consequences. Oxford University Press, 1984. Pp. 231. Mental health care in developing countries: a critical appraisal of research findings Report of a WHO Study Group. WHO, Geneva, 1984. Pp. 59. S.fr. 6.00 C. J. J. Avezaat & J. H. M. Van Eijndhoven: Cerebrospinal fluid pulse pressure and craniospinal dynamics. A theoretical, clinical and experimental study. A. Jongbloed en Zoon, Hague, 1984. Pp. 339. Dfl. 90.00. Victor M. Haughton (ed.). Computed tomography of the spine. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1983. Pp. 221. £27.00 M. D. Lezak. Neuropsychological assessment. 2nd. ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1983. Pp. 768. £22.50 Stuart W. Young: Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, basic principles. Raven Press, New York, 1984. Pp. 163. $24.00 Ellsworth C. Alvord Jr, Marian W. Kies, Anthony J. Suckling (eds.). Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. A useful model for multiple sclerosis. Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York, 1984. Pp. 574. £52.00 W. K. Amery, J. M. Van Nueten & A. Wauquier (eds.). The pharmacological basis of migraine therapy. Pitman, London, 1984. Pp. 287. £18.50 F. Clifford Rose (ed.). Progress in migraine research 2. Pitman, London, 1984. £35.00 G. Fieschi, G. L. Lenzi & C. W. Loeb (eds.): Effects of aging on regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Karger, Basel, 1984. Pp. 258. Sw.Fr. 164.00 M. Swash & M. S. Schwartz: Biopsy pathology of muscle. Chapman & Hall, London, 1984. Pp. 206. £20.00 J. Wertheimer & M. Marois (eds.). Senile dementia: Outlook for the future. Alan R. Liss, New York, 1984. Pp. 532. £52.00 I. Gamstorp & H. B. Sarnat (eds.). Progressive spinal muscular atrophies. Raven Press, New York, 1984. Pp. 243. $60.00 John H. Tyrer & Mervyn J. Eadie (eds.) Clinical and experimental neurology. ADIS Health Science Press, Sydney, 1984. Pp. 264. £60.00     

BOOKS

Books review in this article:
The suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Ed. by A. N. Davison & M. L. Cuzner.
Neurotransmitters. Comparative aspects. Ed. by J. Salanki & T. M. Turpaev.
Neurobiology of cerebrospinal fluid. Vol. 1. Ed. by J. H. Wood.
The management of pain. Ed. Beks, J. W. F. Excerpta     

Intranasal sumatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicenter, multinational, parallel-group studies were carried out to identify the optimum dose of intranasal sumatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine. Study medication was taken as a single dose through one nostril in the first study, and as a divided dose through two nostrils in the second study. Totals of 245 and 210 patients with a history of migraine were recruited into the one-and two-nostril studies, respectively. In both studies, headache severity had significantly improved at 120 min after doses of 10–40 mg sumatriptan compared to placebo (P < 0.05) and the greatest efficacy rates were obtained with 20 mg sumatriptan. With 20 mg sumatriptan 78% and 74% of patients experienced headache relief in one- and two-nostril studies respectively. Sumatriptan was generally well tolerated, the most frequently reported event being taste disturbance. The results of the two studies are similar and indicate that administering sumatriptan as a divided dose via two nostrils confers no significant advantage over single-nostril administration. The publication committee members were as follows: Prof. C. Dahlöf Gothenburg; Prof. N. E. Gilhus, Bergen; Dr. V. Lüben, Giessen; Dr. R. Salonen, Tampere; Prof. J. M. Warier, Strasbourg; Ms E. Ashford, Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford; Mr. R. Dawson, Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford; Mrs D. Noronha Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford.Principal investigators were as follows: One nostril study France: Dr. N. Brion, Le Chesnay; Prof. G. Chazot, Lyon; Dr. P. Dano, Marseille; Prof. A. Destee, Lille; Dr. M. Schwob, Paris; Prof. J.M. Warter, Strasbourg. Germany: Dr. J. Brand, Konigstein; Dr. R. Enkelmann, St. Goar; Prof H. D. Langohr, Fulda; Dr. V. Lüben, Giesssen; Dr. M. Mockesch, Weinheim; Dr. H Pistauer, Preetz; Dr. Schimek, Giegen; Dr. E. Siegel, Munich. Norway: Dr. J. S. Aasen, Fredrikstad; Prof. N. E. Gilhus, Bergen; Dr. I. Monstad, Elverum; Dr. T. Mörland, Skien; Dr. K. Nestvold, Nordbyhagen; Dr. O. Roald, Oslo; Dr. R. Salvesen, Bodö; Prof. O. Sjaastad, Trondheim; Dr. B. Stadnes, Drammen; Dr. K. A. Tjörstad, Stavager.Two Nostril study Eire: Dr. A. Rynne, Dublin. Finland: Dr. M. Farkkila, Helsinki; Dr. H. Havanka, Kemi; Dr. T. Jolma, Pori; Dr. H. Kilpelainen, Savonlinna; Dr. E. Koivunen-Tapio, Jyvaskyla; Reunanen, Oulu; Dr. E. Sako, Turku; Dr. R. Salonen, Tampere. Sweden: Dr. B. Andersson, Gävle; Dr. C. Behring, Vasteras; Prof. C. Dahldf, Gothenburg; Dr. S. E. Eriksson, Falun; Dr. Hindfelt, Malmö; Dr. H. Hultberg, Osmo; Dr. F. Johansson, Umea; Dr. C. Muhr, Uppsala     

Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide Increases the Frequency of Spontaneous Miniature Postsynaptic Currents in CA3 Rat Hippocampal Neurons

Mast cell degranulating peptide (MCDP) is a neurotoxic agent isolated from bee venom. It produces a long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. We now report that MCDP, at nanomolar concentrations, induces a reduction of a transient voltage-dependent potassium current (ID) in CA3 rat pyramidal neurons and a persistent (>30 min) enhancement of the frequency of spontaneous miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (m.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s.). M.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s. were recorded in the presence of bicuculline (30 microM) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 10 microM), respectively. The increased frequency of m.e.p.s.c.s. (408 +/- 60%) and m.i.p.s.c.s. (583 +/- 553%) was independent of the reduction of ID because 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 30 microM - 2 mM) blocked ID but had no effects on m.e.p.s.c.s. and m.i.p.s.c.s. In the presence of the calcium channel blocker manganese (3 mM), MCDP still enhanced the frequency of m.e.p.s.c.s. (326 +/- 162%). It is concluded that MCDP augments the release of excitatory and inhibitory transmitter by an action, which is independent of calcium influx, through voltage-dependent channels.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Human Chromosomes . By E. H. R. F ord .
Genetic Studies in Mental Subnormality. I. Familial idiopathic severe subnormality . By B. C. C lare D avison . II. The application of genetic principles in screening for metabolic disorders . By P. N. S wift , P. F. B enson and J. D. S tuddy .
Inquiring Man. The Theory of Personal Constructs . By D. B annister and F ay F ransella .
A Milieu Therapy Program for Behaviorally Disturbed Children . By M arjorie M c Q. M onkman .
Guide to Films on Mental Handicap . By T homas A. P ilkington .
Consumer's Guide to the British Social Services . By P hyllis W illmott .     

Books

Book Reviews in This Article:
B. S. Meldrum, R. J. Porter (eds.): New anticonvulsant drugs
H. H. Frey, W. Fröscher, W. P. Koella, H. Meinardi (eds.): Tolerance to beneficial and adverse effects of anti-epileptic drugs
A. Bernsmeier, A. Schroder, A. Struppler (eds.): Bodechtel: Differentialdiagnose neurologischer Krankheitsbilder
W. C. Koller (ed.): Handbook of Parkinson's disease
S. R. Markey, N. Castagnoli, Jr., A. J. Trevor, I. J. Kopin (eds.): MPTP: a neurotoxin producing a parkinsonian syndrome
J. B. Lohr, A. A. Wisniewski: Movement disorders
P. Jenner (ed.): Neurotoxins and their pharmacological implications
M. L. P. Apuzzo (ed.): Surgery of the third ventricle
J. Bethlem, C. Knobbout: Neuromuscular Diseases
R. L. Wood: Brain injury rehabilitation: a neurobehavioural approach     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Psychiatric Presentations of Medical Illness. Somatopsychic Disorders. Richard C. W. Hall (ed.) The Epilepsies. A Critical Review. Robert B. Aird, Richard L. Masland, and Dixon M. Woodbury. Epilepsy. One Hundred Elementary Principles. Roger J. Porter. Merkmale Epileptischer Bildnerei mit Pathographie Van Gogh. Manfred in der Beeck. Living with Epilepsy. Margaret W. Sullivan. H. Houston Merritt. Memorial Volume. Melvin D. Yahr. (ed.) Pediatric Neurology. Third Edition. Thomas W. Farmer (ed.). Games, Sports, and Exercises for the Physically Handicapped. Third Edition. Ronald C. Adams, Alfred N. Daniel, Jeffery A. McCubbin, and Lee Rullman. Evoked Potentials. Colin Barber (ed.). Neurologic Emergencies. Michael P. Earnest (ed.). Neurology: The Physician's Guide. Robert G. Feldman (ed.). Astrocytes: Normal, Reactive, and Neoplastic. Philip E. Duffy Bender Gestalt Screening for Brain Dysfunction. Patricia Lacks. Brain Tumors in Children. Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment. Clinically Important Adverse Drug Interactions. Volume 2. Nervous System, Endocrine System and Infusion Therapy. J. C. Petrie (ed.). Cortical Integration. Basic, Archicortical, and Cortical Association Levels of Neural Integration. Current Issues in Toxicology. H. C. Grice (ed.). Current Therapy in Neurologic Disease 1985 · 1986. Richard T. Johnson. The Developing Human Brain. Growth and Epidemiologic Neuropathology. F. H. Gilles, A. Leviton, and E. C. Dooling. Guide to Clinical Studies and Developing Protocols. Bert Spilker. Magnetic Resonance Annual. Herbert Y. Kressel (ed.). The Metabolism of the Human Brain Studied with Positron Emmission Tomography. Torgny Greitz, David H. Ingvar, and Lennart Widen. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Basic Principles. Stuart W. Young. Oligodendroglia. William T. Norton (ed.). Palate Development: Normal and Abnormal Cellular and Molecular Aspects. Current Topics in Developmental Biology, vol. 19. Ernest F. Zimmerman.     

Books Received

J. D. Spillane : an Atlas of Clinical Neurology
Multiple Sklerose. Herausgegeben von F. W. Bronisch
P. M. Jeavons & G. F. A. Harding : Photosensitive epilepsy
Antiepileptische Langzeitmedikation. Ed. by H. Helmchen
CEAN 'Computerized EEG Analysis '. Ed. by Guiliano Dolce and Helmut Künkel
Biochemistry and Neurology. Ed. by H. Bradford & C. Marsden     

Need for a national epilepsy control program

This article briefly outlines the proposed national epilepsy control program. The content of the article is based on four meetings held by invitation of the Ministry of Health. Invitees by ministry – Drs. D. C. Jain, M. Gourie Devi, V. Saxena, S. Jain, P. Satish. Chandra, M. Gupta, K. Bala, V. Puri, K. S. Anand, S. Gulati, S. Johri, P. S. Chandra, M. Behari, K. Radhakrishnan, D. Bachani. Presentations were made by Dr. M. Tripathi.The program will involve all neurologists across the country in teaching and training at state levels and a central monitoring committee.     

Book reviews

Book Review in this Article
S. Finger & D. G. Stein: Brain damage and recovery.
Persistent pain. Modern methods of treatment, vol. 3. Ed. by S. Lipton & J. Miles.
The therapy of pain. Ed. by M. Swerdlow.
John R. Hughes: EEG in clinical practice.     

Books Received

Mc. Alpine, D., C. E. Lumsden, E. D. Acheson , A re-appraisal.
Smith, B. H. , Principles of Clinical Neurology
M. Mumenthaler, H. Schliack, Torben Fog , Läsionen periphärer Nerven
E. Ettlinger , Functions of the Corpus Callosum
J. C. Scotto , L'hyperostose frontale interne
D. Ingvar, N. Lassen , Regional Cerebral Blood Flow
Michaelis, L. , Orthopaedic surgery of the limbs in paraplegia
Adolf Juba , Pathologie des Ballismus
I. Taylor , The neurological mechanisms of hearing and speech in Children
F. Mellerio , L'electroencéphalographie dans les intoxications aigués
T. W. Farmer , Pediatric Neurology
P. Bourret, R. Louis , Anatomie du systéme nerveux central
M. Brazier , Brain Function. Vol. II. RNA and brain function; memory and learning
E. Gutmann, P. Hnik , The effect of use and disuse on neuromuscular functions
R. G. Siekert, J. P. Whisnant , Cerebral Vascular Disease
Excerpta Medica Foundation , Third International Congress of Neurological Surgery, Copenhagen, August 1965
H. W. Delank , Das Eiweissbild des Liquor cerebrospinalis und seine klinische Bedeutung
Schadé, J. P., D. H. Ford , Basic Neurology
C. Bernhard, E. Bohm , Local Anaesthetics as Anticonvulsants
M. Singer, J. Schadé , Degeneration Patterns in the Nervous System
K. Akert, C. Bally, J. Schadé, H. Pakkenberg , Sleep Mechanisms     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Baldy-Moulinier M, Lassen NA, Engel Jr. J, Askienazy S, eds. , Focal epilepsy: clinical use of emission tomography.
Schossberg D, ed. . Infections of the nervous system. (Clinical topics in infectious diseases). New York: Springer-Verlag.
Brazis PW. Masdeur JC, Biller J. . Localization in clinical neurology. 2nd edition.
Toole JF. . Cerebrovascular disorders. 4th edn. New York: Raven Press, 1990.
Duvoisin RC. . Parkinsons's disease. A guide for patient and family.
Steriade M, Biesold D, eds. . Brain cholinergic systems.     

Bokrecensioner

E. Abelin: Esquisse d'une thdorie etiopathogdnique unifi6e des schizophrenics. 276 sidor. Hans Huber, Berne – Stuttgart – Vienne. 1971. Pris: SFr43:-, DM39:- Anm.: Bengt Jansson.

S. Rachman: The Effects of Psychotherapy. Pergamon, N.Y., 1971. Anm. Gunnar Bernler.

Nils Bejerot: Addiction and Society. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1970. (299 s.). Anm.: Bengt Jansson.

Elis G. Regndr och Gunnar Bernler: Akut barnpsykiatri. Almqvist & Wiksell, Stockholm, 1972. (112 s.). Anm.: Bengt Jansson.

Lennart Levi (red.): Society, Stress and Disease. Vol. 1. The psychosocial environment and the psychosomatic diseases. Oxford University Press, London 1971. (485 s., pris 8,-). Anm. Einar Kringlen.

Per Nyhus (i samarbeid med Bjarn Urdal): Asosial og kriminell atferd hos barn og ungdom. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, 1972, 174 pp., kr. 24: –. Anm. Per Vaglum.

Michael Balint: Lakaren, patienten och sjukdomen. Natur och kultur, Stockholm, 1972. (396 s.; pris 46:–). Anm.: Bengt Jansson.

Nils-Erik Landell: Att överleva. 92 s. Aldus, Stockholm 1972. Anm. Per Daldn, Göteborg.     

ANNOUNCEMENT

Rachlin, H.: Introduction to Modern Behaviorism. W. H. Freeman and Company. Wagner, N.N., & E.-s. Tan. (eds.): Psychological Problems and Treatment in Malaysia. Curtis, B. A., S. Jacobsen amp;& E. M. Marcus: An Introduction to the Neurosciences. W. B. Saunders Company. Bogen, B., L. Solum, O. Storvik & H. S. Sundby: Helsestasjonen i Stepeskjeen. Universitetsforlaget.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: The Brain in Unclassified Mental Retardation . Edited by D. B. Cavanagh. Assessment for Learning in the Mentally Handicapped . Editor: Peter Mittler. Social Competence and Mental Handicap (2nd Edition) . Editor: H. C. Gunzburg. Mental Retardation and Behavioural Research . Institute for Research into Mental Retardation, Study Group No. 4. Edited by A. D. B. Clarke and A. M. Clarke.     

Book Reviews

Down's Anomaly . By L. S. P enrose and G. F. S mith .
Mongolism. Ciba Foundation Study Group No. 25 . Edited by G. E. W. W olstenholme & R uth P orter .
The care and training of the mentally subnormal . By C harles H. H allas .     

LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL CEREBRAL VENTRICULAR ENLARGEMENT

One hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width of 12 mm or more were examined for the fourth time after an average observation period of 18.8 years. A predominant aetiological factor causing ventricular enlargement was found in 27 cases. A multifactorial aetiology was indicated in 73 cases. Two patients had air-encephalographical findings indicating normal pressure hydrocephalus. Sixty-nine patients had died, 8 patients were in need of care and supervision, 12 patients were unable to work; the remaining 11 were able to work to some extent. The group studied had a significantly increased mortality rate. The causes of death were divided into 3 groups: 1. Probably related to the underlying brain disorder. 2. Related to those in an average Norwegian population. 3. Minor disorder usually not leading to death. A poor long-term prognosis was indicated in patients with: 1. Serious associated disease. 2. A relatively high age. 3. Associated cardiovascular disease. 4. Marked degree of ventricular enlargement. 5. Marked enlargement of the temporal horns. 6. Many and/or marked neurological signs. 7. Progressive intellectual deterioration. A relatively good prognosis was indicated by: 1. A moderate ventricular enlargement. 2. Intracranial anomalies or early acquired brain lesion. 3. Few neurological signs. 4. Age below 50 years on first admission. 5. Absence of cardiovascular disease. 6. Favourable social environment.     

Ueber die Beziehungen der Lues zur Tabes dorsalis und eine eigenthümliche Form parenchymatöser Erkrankung der Hinterstränge des Rückenmarks

Ohne ZusammenfassungNach einem in der Berliner Medic. Gesellsch. am 21. Januar 1880 gehaltenen Vortrage. Vergl. Berl. klin. Wochenschr. 1880. No. 10. 11.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Young Children with Down's Syndrome: their Development, Upbringing and Effect on their Future . By J anet C arr .
Music Therapy in Action . By M ary P riestley .
Serotonin in Down's Syndrome . Edited by M ary C oleman .
Contemporary Psychiatry . Edited by T revor S ilverstone and B rian B arraclough .
Right from the Start . Edited by B ernie S pain and G uy W igley .
Varieties of Residential Experience . Edited by J. T izard , I. S inclair and R. V. G. G lark .
Managing Residential Facilities for the Development of the Handicapped . By R. G. S cheerenberger .
Eye Movements and Information Processing in Mentally Retarded Children . By F. J. B oersma and W. M uir .     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:
Understanding Epilepsy–What it is and how it can affect your life . Neil Buchanan .
Epilepsy and Quality of Life . M. R. Trimble and W. E. Dodson, eds .
NOTEWORTHY BOOKS FROM 1992 NOT PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED
The Medical Treatment of Epilepsy . Stanley R. Resor, ed.
Epileptic Syndromes in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence, 2nd edition . J. Roger, M. Bureau, C. Dravet, F. E. Dreifuss, A. Perret, P. War, eds.
Epilepsy: A Behavior Medicine Approach to Assessment and Treatment in Children . JoAnne Dahl .
The Surgical Treatment of Epilepsies. Hans Otto Luders, ed.