Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
68 Bo eiw
be available to such workers mainly as a relatively up to date text available in a
departmental library. It is unlikely to be bought by individuals especially at a price
which at the present rate of exchange is nearly £16. It will not be of much help to
clinicians in understanding this field.
The book is divided into three main sections (1) biochemical analysis of metabolic
pathways, (2) membrane function and neurotransmission and (3) hormonal and
pharmacological studies.
A good general introduction to each of the sections is lacking and there is no attempt
to integrate the presentations in any way. No discussions of papers are given so that
it is impossible to assess the value of a paper unless one already has a detailed know-
ledge of the particular topic in question. The sectional titles suggest comprehensive
coverage but there are some omissions. For example, only one paper by L. Valzelli
discusses the role of catechol and indolylamine neurotransmitters in CNS function.
There are no papers which discuss the role of amino acids as putative transmitters.
On the other hand there are papers of wide interest, such as those by Mcflwain
discussing the role of adenosine in brain intra-axonal transport and young amine
granules by Dahlstrom and Haggendal and an excellent review of microanalytical
methods in neurochemistry by Neuhoff and Di Carlo on the organization of membranes
and organelles in nerve tissue. In addition Gispen and his group present three papers
on the effects of hypophysectomy and fragments of the ACTH molecule on behaviour
and brain protein synthesis. Some of the last named work is rather dated.
Nachmansohn contributes a paper on the importance of structure and organization
for chemical reactions in excitable membranes. These papers are selected for mention
mainly because they interest the reviewer, but other readers may find alternative
papers to hold greater interest.
Two years has elapsed since the symposium and this must be borne in mind in
considering the information in the papers. The book is well printed and produced
but the typescript is rather small although clear. Diagrams are well reproduced.
H. W. READING