This multidisciplinary book includes current research papers and reviews in the areas of basic neuroscience, neural mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders. It further includes new approaches for neuroprotective treatments, clinical, neurobiological and treatment aspects of psychiatric disorders. The book was conceived as a celebration of the professional life and work of Peter Riederer to mark the occasion of his retirement.

The question of how nerves communicate with one another was the subject of a heated & protracted dispute between pharmacologists & neurophysiologists. This book recalls the debate & how the theory of chemical transmission was eventually confirmed by the discovery of neurotransmitters.

Epidemiological studies, modern clinical, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, molecular biological, and genetic studies have considerably enhanced our knowledge about ageing processes of the human brain, its sequelae, diagnostic, and therapeutic possibilities and limits. In addition to Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative dementias, the impact of cerebrovascular lesions and their risk factors in the pathogenesis of cognitive disorders of the aged are increasingly acknowledged, and the recognition of mild cognitive impairment as a frequent initial stage of developing dementia is becoming an increasingly important diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The included papers were presented at the 7th International Symposium in Graz, Sept. 2001 and give a timely overview of the current and future concepts of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of pathological brain ageing and dementias, early recognition of mild cognitive impairment and future possiblities of prevention of dementing processes.

When Steele, Richardson and Olszewski described Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in Archives of Neurology in 1964, it was thought to be a rare disease. Recent pathological studies of large numbers of patients diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in life have highlighted the fact that at least one in ten of such cases have some other condition. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is one of the commonest alternative diagnoses. This book is therefore a timely review of present understanding of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Much has been learnt about this sporadic illness of middle and late life although its cause remains unknown, and its treatment continues to be difficult. The Editors have selected a team of authors who review the clinical aspects, neuro-imaging find ings, neuropathology, neurochemistry, epidemiology, and therapy of Progres sive Supranuclear Palsy. All are to congratulated on producing an excellent and detailed picture of contemporary knowledge of the condition. Anyone interested in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy cannot do better than to start by reading this book. It is to be hoped that it will prompt further investigation to establish its cause and cure. C. D. MARSDEN, London Preface Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder charac terized clinically by the appearance of a supranuclear gaze palsy and extra pyramidal features which include bradykinesia and axial dystonia. Postural instability and falls and frontal-type behavioural and cognitive disturbances complete the clinical picture of this progressive disorder.

Experts in the fields of neurology, neuroscience, neurobiology and psychiatry review and present novel findings of basic and clinical research on extrapyramidal disorders and allied conditions. New insights on the nature of extrapyramidal dysfunction and its therapy in the fields of neurology, psychiatry and neuroscience are presented.

As human longevity continues to be extended, so will the impact of age-associated dementia on individual lives and society. Alzheimer’s disease as the most common cause of dementia in the elderly remains a sentinal problem and its underlying pathology is still poorly understood. Available therapeutic strategies require considerable refinement and the development of new therapeutic strategies need input from basic research. Thus continued efforts are necessary both to understand basic mechanisms of the condition and to achieve more powerfull therapies. This volume brings together the reports of basic scientists and clinical investigators. The chapters provide a spectrum of information valuable for clinicians and scientists. This issue bridges the gap between laboratory work in basic science and the development of urgently needed therapeutic strategies. Areas presented are the molecular and cellular biology of the disease, pathogenetic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets, genetics, risk factors, strategies of prevention and treatment as well as practical aspects of medical and social care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Having accepted the task to organize, in Amsterdam, an international Congress in behalf of the International Sodety for Neurovegetati'V'e Research such as is held every second year, it occurred to me that it might be worth while to change its usual pattern somewhat. Instead of giving merely the opportunity for l'eading a nurnber of rather short free papers, more or less grouped in many categories, we decided to start with a symposium on a special topic 'to be dealt with from several aspects by a numbe·r of invited speakers, the last day of the congress being only available for short free communications. The central topic for the symposium finally chosen was "Neurohormones and N eurohumors" as this subject is of interest :to many morphologists, physiologists, pharmacologists, neuro-endocrinologists, biochemists and clini cians, and belongs to a rapidly expanding Held of research. Moreover, it appeared to us that there is some confusion about the defini tion of these terms which are not seLdom used indifferently. I hoped that such a symposium would contribute 1to a clearer apprehension of the terms based on morphological, physiological and biochemical criteria as well as to a clearer understanding of some problems involved which will have to be subjects of future investigations.

Although "using both medications and psychotherapy in all patients may not necessarily be most cost-efficient or most effective," according to Beitman (psychiatry, U. of Missouri-Columbia) and his collaborators, it seems important to determine when monotreatment, combined therapy, or integrated treatment may be the best choice. They overview the issues involved in such therapies, and then focus in on research perspectives and understandings of psychodynamic neurobiology. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the developme