Books in short

The Neurobiology of AutismM. L. Bauman and T. L. Kemper (eds)

The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2nd edn., 2005. $95

(hardcover), $45 (paperback), xiii þ 404 pp. ISBN 0-8018-

8046-7 (hardcover)/0-8018-8047-5 (paperback)

In 27 chapters grouped into four sections (clinical observa-

tions, neuroanatomic investigations, genetic initiatives, and

neurobiologic research), this book presents a comprehensive

overview of all aspects of autism and related disorders. In an

undertaking as large as this one, it is not too difficult to find

something to quibble about. For instance, I would have liked

to see some more discussion of the various animal models

that have been proposed for this disorder. Whereas one

chapter is devoted to one particular rat model (rats infected

neonatally with Borna Disease virus), other models are only

mentioned casually in some of the other chapters, which

seems a somewhat uneven treatment. It is also unfortunate

that there is only one single non-North-American author (from

the UK) ignoring all the work done in this field in the rest of the

world. Apart from these minor criticisms, however, this book

offers an excellent portal to the vast area of autism research.

Neurodevelopment and SchizophreniaM. Keshavan, J Kennedy, and R. Murray (eds)

Cambridge University Press, 2005. $150, xviii þ 488

pp. ISBN 0-521-82331-5

As outlined in the Foreword from Michael Rutter, the field of

schizophrenia research was for a long time based on the

assumption that schizophrenia is an adult-onset disorder,

with neurodegenerative changes as its possible biological

basis. Only in the last few decades has it been recognized

that schizophrenia might be a neurodevelopmental disorder.

This book summarizes the evidence leading to this view in an

admirable way. In 24 chapters, all aspects of our current

knowledge on the biological bases of schizophrenia are

reviewed, from possible genetic underpinnings, through

other etiological factors, to pathophysiology and clinical impli-

cations (such as the possibilities for early recognition and

intervention). Despite this emphasis on biological factors,

possible social factors as causal agents in schizophrenia are

not ignored either. The book provides a well-balanced and

comprehensive overview that merits to be read by all stu-

dents of this fascinating and devastating disorder.

Databasing the Brain. From Data to KnowledgeS.H. Koslow and S. Subramaniam (eds)

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005. $135, xiii þ 466 pp. ISBN

0-471-30921-4

Neuroinformatics is a budding young discipline, and the two

editors of this volume are among the pioneers in this field.

Many of the efforts described in this book stem from the

Human Brain Project, spearheaded for years by Stephen

Koslow. The book provides a welcome overview and update

of the rapid developments of the last few years. With only few

exceptions, most of the authors of the 26 chapters are from

the United States, which is a somewhat unfortunate geogra-

phical bias in a book of this scope, although it must be said that

this also reflects the enormous growth of this field especially in

the United States. The first section of the book deals with basic

issues, such as designing adequate databases and the pro-

blems involved in visualizing objects and processes. Of interest

for readers of G2B will be, in particular, the several chapters

dealing with integrating genetic data. These are grouped

together in the middle of the book in a section entitled

‘System Approaches’. Finally, the publishers are to be com-

mended on the excellent way the book has been executed, on

glossy paper and with liberal use of color in the figures.

Handbook of Stress and the BrainT. Steckler, N. H. Kalin and J. M. H. M. Reul (eds)

Elsevier, 2005. Part 1: The Neurobiology of Stress, $199.95,

xviii þ 838 pp. ISBN 0-444-51173-3. Part 2: Stress:

Integrative and Clinical Aspects, $180, xiii þ 470 pp. ISBN

0-444-51823-1

Volume 15 in the series on ‘Techniques in the Behavioral and

Neural Sciences’, I expect this enormous work to be the

definitive standard work on stress for years to come. In a

staggering total of more than 1300 pages, 62 chapters

grouped in 10 sections present every imaginable aspect of

stress research. In contrast to many other edited volume, this

one is a truly international effort. The list of collaborators reads

as a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ in international stress research. It

is impossible to do justice to this work here. Suffice it to say

that everyone working on stress or stress-related subjects will

want to have these volumes within reach of hand. Given the

size of these books, the price is certainly not exaggerated.

Wim E. Crusio

Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, CNRS UMR 5106

Bat B2 – Avenue des Facultes

33405 Talence

France

E-mail: wim_crusio@yahoo.com

Genes, Brain and Behavior (2006) 5: 304 # 2006 The Author

Journal compilation � 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

304 doi: 10.1111/j.1601-183X.2006.00220.x