Experimental and Clinical Neurotoxicology

edited by

Peter S. Spencer
(Oregon Health Sciences University)
Herbert H. Schaumburg
(Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Second Edition (2000).

The new edition of this book is long overdue and will be warmly welcomed. The book has been expanded and reorganized, and now covers an enormous spectrum of neurotoxic disorders.

There are two editors, one associate editor, and six assistant editors, as well as a total of 162 contributing authors. The book is divided into two parts. An introductory section discusses neurobiological principles and considers them in relationship to human and veterinary medicine. The rest of the book consists of an alphabetical listing of various neurotoxic chemicals, including plants and venoms, with a summary of their neurotoxic properties and an alphabetical rating of the strength of association between them, and their proposed biological and clinical effects. Such an arrangement is helpful, to readers seeking information about individual chemicals, but at times makes information concerning classes of chemical more elusive. The chemical formulae are provided of many of the agents that are discussed, as are a few pertinent references, although some of these are to publications that are now many years old. The arrangement fails in some places where more general entries are provided that focus on a group of compounds (e.g. on organophosphates). Coverage is broader than might initially have been anticipated, including for example, entries on water and on various vaccines. There are two appendices. The first of these provides an alphabetical summary list of each compound and its each compound and neurotoxicological rating. The second appendix lists specific neurological disorders (such as cranial neuropathies or peripheral neuropathies) and the entities associated with those disorders, together with the strength of any association.

It is clear that this book will rapidly become the standard reference in the field, and deservedly so. It will an important role for many years to come. Its encyclopedic nature will make it an important addition to all institutional libraries, as well as an invaluable resource to those with special interest in neurotoxicology.

Michael J, Arninoff, MD, DSc FRCP Muscle and Nerve, December 2000, p 1897. [Reproduced by permission]