Gen. Pharmac. Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 671-673, 1987 Pergamon Journals Ltd. Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Molecular and Cellular Mechaaisms of Anesthetiea~Edited by S. H. Roth and K. W. Miller. 490pp. 1986. Plenum Medical Books, New York. $59.50.

This is a multi author volume with its 38 chapters grouped into sections on (1) Cellular actions of anesthetics. (2) Post synaptic actions of anesthetics. (3) Anesthetics and sodium channels. (4) Biophysical mechanisms of anesthetics. (5) Pressure-anestbetics interactions. (6) Toxicity of local anesthetics. (7) Toxicity of general anesthetics. The accent of the book is on the way in which specific anesthetics affect the nerve membrane, the ACh GABA receptors, the lipid membrane, anesthetic-protein interactions, action on different tissues heart, liver and nerve. It is clear that anesthetics act on many sites in the membrane and cells, and that greater understanding of their mechanism of action should lead to safer anesthetics. This book provides a very useful summary of the state of research on the molecular and cellular actions of anesthetics.

Chemical Nem, obinlogy, an Introduction to Neurn- chemlstry--I-I. F. Bradford. 507 pp. 1986. Freeman, New York. £36.95.

There have been many advances in the study of the bio- chemistry of nervous tissues over the past 20 yr which have lead both to a greater understanding of the brain's function and also to the development of new drugs for the treatment of neurological disorders. This well written single author textbook provides an excellent account of the basic informa- tion, the major advances in the subject, and the application of this information. The chapters deal with the following subjects; neurones, organization for interaction; glial cells; brain glucose and energy metabolism; neurotransmitters; neuropeptides; synaptosomes; synapses; CNS systems and behavior; and failure of neurotransmitters in disorders of the brain. The book is well illustrated and has good bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Those wanting a readable and scholarly survey of the subject should consult this book.

Peptidic Ulcer and its Drug Causation. "l=ae Role of Non- Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs--David Clinch. 165 pp. 1986. Croom Helm, London. £19.95.

In peptic ulcers there is a discontinuation of the mucosa in those parts of the digestive tract exposed to gastric juice, i.e. the lower oesophagus, stomach, and duodenal bulb. In many cases spiral bacteria, Campylobacter pyloris, are associated with the ulcer. Evidence of ulceration has been found in about 20% of men with active ulcers in 5% but the incidence of ulcers is decreasing. The book describes the different treatments for ulcers (antacids, H2 blockers, anti- cholinergics, sucralfate, bismuth) and indicates that the main problem is not the immediate treatment but the prevention of a relapse. The data on aspirin, ibruprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, piroxicam and other drugs is given and analyzed in relation to the incidence of peptic ulcers.

Modulation of Central and Peripheral Trammltter Fuactioa--Edited by G. Biggio, P. F. Spano, G. Toffrano and G. L. Gessa. Fidia Symposia in Neuroscience Vol. 3. 624 pp. 1986. Liviana Press, Springer-Verlag, Berlin. DM 175.

This is the published proceedings of a symposium held in Italy in 1985. The papers are grouped into 5 main sections. (1) Central and peripheral dopaminergic mechanisms. (2) Aging of the brain. (3) Neuroendocrinology. (4) Receptors for neurotransmitters and drugs. (5) Neurotransmitters, biochemistry, pharmacology and behavior. The many papers contain material of interest, but the value of the volume and probably the symposium would be increased if the editors had included synoptic reviews on the main topics that also tried to link in the new material presented at the meeting with strategies for future research. The basic material is here but the reader has to work hard to find it.

Receptor Binding in Drug Research--Edited by R. A. O'Brien. 519pp. 1986. Marcel Dekker, New York. $89.75 U.S.A./Canada. $107.50.

Drug binding studies have provided invaluable information about receptor types, changes in number of receptors, and the development of specific receptor antagonists. This multi author work provides useful reviews and summaries of the application of drug binding studies. The main sections are (1) Analysis and interpretation of receptor screening data. (2) Receptor screening applied to specific therapeutic areas [benzodiazepines, convulsants and anticonvulsants, anti- depressants, psychomotor stimulants, opiate receptors]. (3) Receptor interactions with implications in multiple ther- apeutic areas [leukotriene receptors, purinergic receptors, steroid hormone binding sites, calcium antagonists, mus- carinic receptors]. (4) Receptor applications to peptides, growth factors and endogenous ligands [interferon, platelet derived growth factor, insulin, CCK ]. (5) In vivo and in vitro methodologies for use in drug discovery and character- ization [antidepressants, anxiolytics, cholinergic agents]. The reviews are well written and provide the reader with background and insight into the specific problems.

Chemotherapy in Psychiatry. Principles and Practiee. 2ad Editioa--Ross. J. Baldessarini. 354 pp. 1985. Harvard Univ. Press, Massachusetts. $25.

This book has sections dealing with modern psycho- pharmacology and psychiatric treatment; antipsychotic agents; lithium salts and antimanic agents; antidepressant agents; antianxiety drugs, and special topics [geriatric and pediatric treatment, medicolegal, outpatient chemotherapy]. The text is easy to read and is supported by good tables and diagrams. The new edition is almost twice the size of the previous edition, has many more excellent tables and the material has been brought up to date. The author indicates that there are reasonably safe and effective medical treat- ments for most of the major psychiatric illnesses and presents these, treatments in this book.

Drugs and AOag---Edited by D. Platt. 216pp. 1986. Springer-Vedag, Berlin. $35.

Aging usually brings about changes in absorbtion, metabo- lism and excretion of drugs. This multi author volume deals

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