Medical Science Books .com Medical Book Review:

     In the preface, the book series editors state that their aim is to provide both practicing neurologists and those in training with up to date resources that can inform their care of patients with a variety of neurological disease.  With this volume on movement disorders, they have successfully achieved their goal and added a book to the neurological literature that offers both academically and clinically sound information.

     Innovative therapies for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders have had relatively long periods of development due, in part, to the lack of clear information regarding etiology.  However, molecular and cellular studies utilizing animal models and human tissue samples have uncovered an array of possible disease markers and opened the door to future disease management strategies.  Current research in the field is also proving to be quite useful by
weighing in on existing debates in treatment such as the most appropriate time to initiate Levodopa therapy in Parkinson’s patients.  If one were to attempt to stay abreast of the continual unfolding, even in this relatively focused area, they would most likely need to consult at least a dozen different journals on a regular basis.  Both the editors of the Blue Books of Neurology Series and volume editors of Movement Disorders 4 have recognized the need, particularly for Neurologists specializing in movement disorders, for a comprehensive
resource reflective of the major developments of the past decade.

     Consistent with the comparatively greater amount of research on Parkinson’s disease due to increased prevalence in the general population, half of the book is devoted to describing its genetic variations, clinical presentations, and treatment.  While there are many other neurology texts that are comparative in terms of general clinical coverage of Parkinson’s disease, few exist that contain the accumulation of genetic analysis data and implications for clinical
presentation.  Another area that many more general treatises on Parkinson’s lack is a unified discussion of environmental factors and their role in the modulation of genetic factors linked to disease.  An area where this text truly stands out on the forefront of disease therapy is an excellent chapter on neuroprotective agents; a “hot topic” in the field that shows some promise of increased treatment efficacy.

     The more obscure members of the movement disorder category such as Huntington’s disease, the Dystonias and Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome are also covered in this text.  A notable inclusion is Restless Leg Syndrome which has received increasingly more attention, even from the lay press, over the past several years.   Since much less information exists regarding these diseases, they are very effectively covered in the number of pages allotted to them; although not necessarily as comprehensive as monographs that have been written on these disorders.  That being said, there is still great value in having a single volume contain all this distilled information on the movement disorders, especially since many parallels can be drawn between the data coming out of the extensive Parkinson’s research and other less studied counterparts. 

     This book is highly recommended not only for Neurologists, but for any clinician interested in gaining a more expansive evidence based perspective on the treatment of movement disorders.

Joseph V. Russo, M.S.

Ratings (1-4 , 4 being the highest):

Organization of information:    4

Usefulness of book:     4

Suitable for intended audience:    4

Author’s objectives met:      4

Significant number of illustrations:     2

Quality of illustrations:    3
 

From the Publisher:  

Key Features:

Table of Contents:

Contributing Authors

Series Preface

Preface

Current Concepts in the Anatomy and Physiology of the Basal Ganglia

1. Functional Anatomy and Pathophysiology of the Basal Ganglia

Parkinson's Disease

2. Genetics of Parkinson's Disease- An Overview

3.  α-Synuclein and Parkinson's Disease

4. PARK2: Parkin Mutations Responsible for Familial Parkinson's Disease

5. PINK1 (PARK6) and Parkinson's Disease

6. DJ-1 (PARK 7) and Parkinson's Disease

7. LRRK2 and Parkinson's Disease

8. Environmental Factors and Parkinson's Disease

9. Pathology of Parkinson's Disease

10. Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease

11. Imaging in Parkinson's Disease

12. Dementia in Parkinson's Disease

13. Psychiatric Issues in Parkinson's Disease

14. Nonmotor Aspects of Parkinson's Disease

15. Therapy of the Motor Features of Parkinson's Disease

16. Surgical Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

17. Cell-Based and Gene-Based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

18. Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Disease

Multiple System Atropy

19. Etiology, Pathology, and Pathogenesis

20. Multiple System Atropy: Clinical Features and Management

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

21. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration

22. Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration

Frontotemporal Dementia

23. Frontotemporal Dementia

Huntington's Disease

24. Etiology, Pathology, and Pathogenesis

25. Clinical Features and Care

The Dystonias

26. The Genetics and Pathogenesis of Dystonia

27. Management

Other Movement Disorders

28. Paroxysmal Dyskinesias

29. Essential Tremor and Other Tremors

30. Other Choreas

31. Restless Legs Syndrome

32. Startled People

33. Psychogenic Movement Disorders

34. Tics and Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

Index