Brain Biochemistry and Brain Disorders

Brain Biochemistry and Brain Disorders

Philip G. Strange

Oxford, New York, Tokyo: Oxford University Press, 342 pp, 1992

I read and re-read this book several times — it is easy to read. On my first survey, I noted numerous excusable and many unforgiveable omissions (for example, only a brief mention of the dopamine D-3 receptors on page 239 and not even a word on the D-4 receptors that had been described by then). But I came to the realization that one cannot be an excessively critical judge. Any book of this size that comprises biochemistry, structure, research methodology and a wide range of pathologies of the brain can only be somewhat of a smorgasbord. There is nothing wrong with a neuroscience buffet, however, provided it is nutritious and served with style. And this must be recognized about this book, including the extremley well chosen cover illustration of Edward Munch’s “The Dance of Life”.

The first seven chapters provide sufficient amounts of basic information and neuroscience facts that are required for the grasp of the second part of the book, which focuses on six different disorders.

The author discusses artfully and, for purposes of psychiatric residents and practitioners, sufficiently the cellular aspects of the brain tissue, the chemical and electrical signalling, the neurotransmitter and receptor systems as well as some research technologies, although the description of the restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) could have been made clearer.

The author chose six diverse pathologies that are connected along the mesostriatal, mesolimbic and mesofrontal tracts. The totality of these six pathologies, and some others mentioned en passant, provides a base not only for the understanding of these illnesses but also for the comprehension of these brain parts. The discussion of Parkinson’s disease, including the MPTP, genetic aspects, rationale of tissue transplant, etc. is fairly complete, as is the chapter on Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The chapter on schizophrenia, as a brain disease, competently deals with the subject, although the contribution of Weinberger (mentioned briefly on page 256) could have been more extensive. The chapter on depression, although thorough and interesting, is too speculative in relation to the septohippocampal system. The last chapter, on anxiety, is probably the weakest.

The illustrations, including the CT scans, are of good quality. There are aspects of the quotations of original contributors where one could disagree with the author. Considering that books rapidly become outdated, this book has a certain philosophy and appeal — not to mention a modest price — that will assure a measure of longevity.