Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition
By: Lara V. Marcuse, Madeline C. Fields & Jiyeoun Jenna Yoo
ISBN: 9780323757133
Publication Date: August 26, 2024
Reviewer: Sridhara S Yaddanapudi, MD (Thomas Jefferson University)
Description
The book covers the basics of Electroencephalogram (EEG). It is meant to be a foundation for anyone who wants to read EEGs. The new edition has excellent illustrations of common EEG artifacts as well as many normal and abnormal EEG’s. This is the third edition, and the previous edition was published in 2016.
Purpose
The book offers a foundation for reading and reporting EEG. It is a must have for all neurology trainees. The book meets its objectives by presenting well rounded knowledge on all things EEG from pediatric EEG to latest quantitative EEG in ICU.
Audience
The book is essential for neurology residents, epilepsy fellows, and neurophysiologists. The book provides a formula for success by presenting the common EEG patterns and EEG reporting format. The authors are frontline clinicians in a high-volume comprehensive epilepsy center. They have been published widely as well.
Features
The book begins with the origin and technical considerations of the EEG. It then addresses normal EEG in adults, and neonates to adolescents before moving on to abnormal EEGs. The subsequent sections discuss epilepsy, intercranial EEG, status epilepticus, quantitative EEG in the ICU, and tips on reading and reporting EEGs. This book covers particularly important aspects of EEG. It presents several nice examples of what artifacts look like so as not to over report EEG. This title also covers pathological EEG and uses the latest terminology from ILAE as well as quantitative EEG and interpretive EEG monitoring basics. The videos and online access to eBook are a huge benefit, as are the self-test question and answer section.
Assessment
This book is a must have for anyone who plans to learn or teach EEG reading. The availability of an eBook with numerous useful pictures and videos makes this a leader among other similar titles. The latest edition introduces updated terminology from ILAE as well as quantitative EEG and intraoperative EEG monitoring.
©Doody’s Review Service, 2024, Sridhara S Yaddanapudi, MD (Thomas Jefferson University), Doody’s Score: 100 – 5 Stars!
Purchase your copy of Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition here!
Interview with Theodore A. Stern, MD, Timothy E. Wilens, MD, and Maurizio Fava, MD
How has Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry, 3rd Edition evolved since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?
AUTHORS: The current edition has adapted to changes in diagnoses and treatments of several major psychiatric disorders. Updated criteria and interventions have extended to new classes of medications, neurotherapeutics, psychotherapies, and combination therapies. In addition, we have created new chapters on: the psychiatric management of patients with cardiac, renal, and gastrointestinal diseases; COVID-19 infection; burns, trauma, and intensive care; obesity and its management; global psychiatry; the interface of climate and psychiatry; sport psychiatry; school collaboration and consultation; and mindfulness and resilience.
What is the most exciting aspect of Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry, 3rd Edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about?
AUTHORS: With the third edition, we are excited to cover advances in neuroscience and neurotherapeutics and translate that knowledge into novel treatments.
Who will find the greatest value from Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry, 3rd Edition and why? Has the audience changed since the book was first published?
AUTHORS: The target audience for this volume continues to be all healthcare providers who need up-to-date, readable, and credible information related to mental health conditions and their treatment.
What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the new edition?
AUTHORS: We are pleased to highlight neurotherapeutic treatments.
What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?
AUTHORS: The age-old problem of formulating a differential diagnosis persists. Understanding the biological, psychological, social, and existential etiologies and their co-morbidities remains a major focus for clinicians; ongoing research in these areas where needed. We continue to investigate more effective and rapid responses to treatments (e.g., ketamine) for major mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia/psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use disorders).
Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say?
AUTHORS: A strength of the book is that it covers the entire lifespan—from childhood to geriatric age groups—with clinical insights, depth, and broad-based expertise. Hundreds of our faculty have contributed to provide updated and/or newly created chapters (e.g., on global psychiatry, climate, sport, school collaboration, obesity, mindfulness) that have been edited to read as if they were spoken with one voice.
About the Authors
DR. STERN: My name is Ted Stern. I am the Ned H. Cassem Professor of Psychiatry in the field of Psychosomatic Medicine/Consultation at Harvard Medical School, Chief Emeritus of the Avery D. Weisman Psychiatry Consultation Service, and Director of the Thomas P. Hackett Center for Scholarship in Psychosomatic Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). I have focused my efforts at the interface of psychiatry and medicine as a clinician, researcher, author/editor, and teacher (having mentored scores of trainees and faculty members). I have co-authored more than 575 articles and chapters and authored or edited 60 books (including the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General Hospital Psychiatry; MGH Psychopharmacology and Neurotherapeutics; and MGH Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry). I am also a past president of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of its journal Psychosomatics, now called the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. I have been honored to receive the coveted Best Teacher Award from the graduating residents at the MGH/McLean Hospital psychiatry residency training program in each of the past four decades, the MGH Department of Psychiatry’s Award for Exceptional Mentoring, and the ACLP’s Thomas P. Hackett Award (its highest honor).
DR. WILENS: My name is Tim Wilens. I am the Division Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine. I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing both clinically and as a researcher in pediatric psychopharmacology, and the overlap of substance use disorders and ADHD, bipolar, and other juvenile onset psychiatric disorders.
DR. FAVA: My name is Maurizio Fava. I am Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Slater Family Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. I am a psychiatrist and a psychopharmacologist specializing in the treatment and research of patients with depression and anxiety disorders.
Purchase your copy of Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry, 3rd Edition here!
Interview with Michael J. Aminoff, M.D., Scott Pomeroy, M.D., Ph.D., and Kerry Levin, M.D.
Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background.
Dr. Aminoff: My name is Dr. Michael Aminoff and I am Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the School of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco.
Dr. Pomeroy: I am Dr. Scott Pomeroy, Bronson Crothers Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Chair of the Department of Neurology of Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Levin: My name is Dr. Kerry Levin, and I am a Professor of Neurology and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
How has The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Nervous System, Volume 7, 3rd Edition changed since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?
Dr. Aminoff: It has been updated to include recent advances in molecular medicine, especially in genetics, immunology, and pharmacology, and the therapeutic benefits to which they have led. Compared to the first edition, technological advances in imaging have allowed us to incorporate CT and MR images to complement the anatomic pictures that are an important feature of the volumes.
Dr. Pomeroy: There have been dramatic advances for many nervous system diseases since the last edition.
What is the most exciting aspect of The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Nervous System, Volume 7, 3rd Edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about?
Dr. Pomeroy: Advances in precision medicine, especially for neuromuscular diseases including spinal muscular atrophy.
Dr. Aminoff: The new edition adds attention to the current genetic, physiological, and immunological aspects of neurological disease.
Who will find the greatest value from The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Nervous System, Volume 7, 3rd Edition and why? Has the audience changed since the book was first published?
Dr. Levin: This book will be of particular value to medical student and students of biology or neuroscience. It will also be appreciated by general medical and neurologic residents.
Dr. Aminoff: The new edition will also appeal to clinicians in practice as a concise update on the major neurological disorders.
Dr. Pomeroy: With outstanding illustrations and updated text, the books will be interesting to anyone interested in the nervous system and nervous system diseases.
What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the new edition?
Dr. Pomeroy: Insights into the causes and mechanisms of nervous system diseases have enabled new therapies.
What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?
Dr. Levin: I expect that new genetic treatments will provide cures for various hereditary diseases, and that—as biomarkers of certain diseases become more apparent– various degenerative diseases will also finally be cured or, at the very least, become treatable before they become symptomatic.
Dr. Pomeroy: I hope cures for degenerative diseases and cancers will be found.
About the Editors
Edited by Michael J. Aminoff, MD, DSc, FRCP, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Neurology; University of California San Francisco; Scott Pomeroy, MD, PhD, Bronson Crothers Professor, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Consultant, Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Neurologist-in-Chief, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts and Kerry H. Levin, MD, Chair, Department of Neurology, Director of the Neuromuscular Center at the Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Interview with David L. Felten, M.D., Ph.D.
Why was it important to write Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience? What does this publication add to this field?
I was introduced to Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience (the first “green” book) as an undergraduate at MIT, recommended by Professor Nauta. My sentiment always was “I wish there were more.” As I bought and read scores of neurosciences-related books, I could not find the organization I wanted and needed. At opposite ends were fascinating compendia written by throngs of investigators discussing “what I do in neurosciences research” and edited by famous researchers; or short-cut summaries that did not provide the scientific framework and understanding needed by students learning neurosciences. When I was offered the opportunity to revise Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience (the 1st revised edition), I jumped at the chance. It needed a thorough updating of the written material, substantial reorganization, and addition of many new aspects of neurosciences not available when Dr. Netter wrote the last of his revisions.
I became obsessed with doing the revisions right, within the page limit and new art (mainly from Jim Perkins) allowed through working with the outstanding Elsevier editors, Elyse O’Grady and Marybeth Thiel. I added many new updated components (e.g. the chemically specific neural systems, brain stem cross sections, new imaging plates, axial and coronal MRIs, and many more). The 3rd edition won 3 international book awards (British Medical Association – neurology; International Association of Medical Illustrators; and Wiki – 2nd on the list of best neurosciences textbooks).
The 4th edition of Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience adds a host of new molecular, cellular, systemic, and clinical plates which provide understanding of the integrated nervous system. It continues to smoothly integrate both peripheral and central aspects of the nervous system rather than separating them into traditional gross anatomy course components and neuroscience course components. The neurosciences student now can use this 4th edition as a single, integrated textbook and atlas, with full cross-sectional anatomical detail, presentation of the major topics in neuroscience, and extensive clinical correlations. There are hundreds of clinical comments or discussions, either in clinical boxes or integrated into the figure legends, intended to explain why this material is important to diagnosis and care of patients.
What is the most exciting aspect of Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience. What portions are you most excited about?
As I prepared lists and notes about what to include in the 4th edition of Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience, the need for several components was conspicuous:
(1) With many basic sciences and clinical journals extensively emphasizing molecular and genetic approaches to diseases, we need to help students understand new molecular technology, techniques for studying neurons, techniques for establishing animal models of neurological disease, gene regulation and transcription, and many other aspects not known or emphasized at the time of the 2nd and 3rd editions.
(2) Clinically-significant diseases or processes with basic sciences foundations, not previously presented in earlier editions, such as hydrocephalus and shunting, normal pressure hydrocephalus, fetal alcohol syndrome, postnatal environmental influences on granule cell development, and others.
(3) Chemically-responsive systems of increasing significance in society, such as endogenous cannabinoid systems, and endogenous opioid systems (beta-endorphin, dynorphins, met-enkephalin), including exogenous interactions with these systems.
(4) Complex integrated sensory and motor interactions for vital autonomic-somatic functions of clinical significance, such as swallowing.
(5) Mechanisms underlying deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders, now used extensively.
(6) Interactions of important limbic forebrain structures not included in previous editions, such as bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), insular cortex, and prefrontal cortex (both dorsolateral and ventromedial (orbitofrontal) components).
(7) An entirely new chapter on Global Brain Function and Disorders. This is a challenging component of the neurosciences, as its complexities are legion; discussions often lead to long and complicated explanations with a multitude of clinical and research data – all of great interest, but difficult to succinctly summarize for the student of neuroscience. It is also a challenge to decide what to include and what not to include. In order to do this new chapter justice for the 4th edition, we needed to use the best available Netter Atlas plates and many new illustrations by Jim Perkins, write succinct figure legends with descriptions of the global function/dysfunctions, a summary of what brain structures are involved, and, if known, how they interact in the process. For the 4th edition, we have included:
a. Dementias (Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, and treatable dementias
b. Alzheimer’s disease distribution and pathology
c. Neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, panic and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder)
d. Neural foundations of addictive behavior
e. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
f. Aphasias, brain areas involved, and their clinical characteristics
g. Non-dominant hemispheric disorders
h. Memory processing
i. Coma and its differential diagnosis
j. Aging processes in the nervous system
I believe that topics 3 (cannabinoids and opioids), 6 (limbic structures of great behavioral importance), and 7 (new chapter on global brain function), are the most significant and exciting components for students seeking current information about timely and interesting neurosciences topics.
Who will find the greatest value from Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience and why?
Any student undertaking a journey through the nervous system, especially medical students (who need to know enough to either treat or refer patients with nervous system involvement), but also including any health-care professionals, whether students or practitioners, will find the organization, outstanding illustrations (Frank Netter, Jim Perkins, others), succinct but understandable figure legends, and many clinical comments and considerations, to be the most compact and understandable way to comprehend the scope of nervous system components, interactions, functions, and clinical applications. It is not an endless and complicated compendium, nor is it a simplistic dick-and-jane beginner text. It is intended to be a guide book and road map from the most straightforward to the most complex aspects of neuroscience. The three-part organization of overview-regional-systemic makes this possible. The Student Consult component provides greater details online for those who want more, while not burdening the majority of students who want to “cut to the chase” and learn the most useful and important components for achieving success in course work.
I have heard feedback from high school and college students, non-medical professionals who have curiosity about the brain, and others, that they greatly enjoy the illustrations and commentary. A remarkably wide range of people are fascinated with the brain and how it works. As the British Medical Association award and review noted- the Atlas is above all else, beautiful, is scholarly, and truly does Frank Netter justice.
What ideas, practices, or procedures do you hope students will take away from Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience?
The 4th edition of Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience is directed at understanding basic scientific foundations for the application of neurosciences principles to the practice of medicine. It also provides an integrative understanding of the brain, its many components and interactions, and important functional and behavioral applications. It is intended to allow the student to walk away with: (1) an excellent understanding of the basic features of the nervous system (its major components, the ventricular system, its vasculature, development); (2) regional components of the nervous system (essential for diagnosis of where a neurological problem is and what it might be); (3) systemic components of the nervous system (essential for interpreting the neurological exam, which is carried out systemically); and (4) global aspects of brain function and dysfunction, which likely encompass extensive regional and systemic aspects of brain function. This Atlas is NOT about practices, procedures, how to carry out detailed clinical exams and diagnostic tests, extensive clinical details and data, what dosages of drugs to use, etc.; those topics are best found in more detailed clinical neurology and neurosurgery texts.
What problems do you hope future generations will be able to solve?
The new topics noted in components 3, 6, and 7, above, provide several goals.
We need to know more about the mechanisms by which opiates alter brain function, both for appropriate therapeutic use, and for addressing the scourge of opioid addiction, especially from drugs such as fentanyl, and their destruction of human life. The understanding of cannabinoids, especially their “reverse transmitter” mechanisms, may lead to revealing the neural foundations of some of the useful clinical applications (anti-nausea, pain treatment, anti-inflammatory, perhaps anti-tumor benefits, anti-stress effects), separate from the more cognitively-altering effects or behavioral impairment (e.g. impaired driving).
Better understanding of the interactions of many of the limbic structures and prefrontal cortex are critical to dealing with cognitive impairment, rage behavior, amotivational states, addictive behaviors, neuropsychiatric disorders, and other troubling behaviors in our society. The interaction of drugs (both licit and illicit) can provoke even further unwanted interactions of these brain systems.
From the perspective of global neurological functions and disorders, our society needs to get a better grip on identifying the dementias early enough to gain a foothold in preventive strategies – the economic consequence of not doing so is both budget-breaking and laden with human tragedy. Depression and suicidal behavior are accelerating, as is the associated stress and its negative consequences, especially with the isolation and fear from COVID – perhaps a consequence that is as bad or worse than the disease for many. Traumatic brain injury continues, both in athletes and in military personnel – better life saving emergency care has led to more devastating, sometimes lifelong injuries.
It is my fondest hope that some of these devastating problems can be addressed with both preventive strategies and better treatment approaches. I look forward to our next generations of students, both in the clinic and at the research bench or computer, to say “Oh, so that’s how it works,” and then move forward to greater insight. I feel that if the 4th edition can inspire such outcomes, even to a small degree, it will be a true success. One brilliant thought or idea can lead to incredible progress.
Anything else I would like to say?
Way back, as an undergraduate at MIT, using the Netter Atlas of Neurosciences as an introductory learning tool, little did I think I would end up spending countless hours and effort to significantly contribute to new editions, now leading to this 4th edition. It is both an honor and a privilege to do so, and has added great joy to my life. I have been able to learn from the two great masters – Dr. Netter from his incomparable and informative illustrations, and Dr. Nauta from his wonderful organization and insights of the brain.
David L. Felten, M.D., Ph.D. is currently based in Canandaigua, NY. He is working half-time as Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences, and Professor of Neuroscience, at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), headquartered in NYC. He counsels medical students on strategies and approaches for passing board examinations in basic sciences (Step 1) and clinical sciences (Comprehensive Clinical Sciences Exam, CCSE; and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, CK), and the NBME subject exams in the Core Clinical Clerkship subjects. Helping students to achieve competency and understanding in the basic and clinical sciences to qualify for a life of medical practice as an M.D. is highly rewarding to him, and provides insight into the challenges of students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
His educational background includes a B.S. degree from MIT in Cambridge MA, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Pennsylvania Institute for Neurological Sciences in the School of Medicine. At MIT, he had the privilege of spending extensive time and study in the neuroanatomy laboratory of Institute Professor Walle J.H. Nauta, M.D., Ph.D., a world renowned researcher and truly outstanding teacher. His graduate Neuroanatomy course was inspirational, and provided his foundation in the organization of the nervous system. Professor Nauta took a three-part approach – Overview, Regional Neuroscience, Systemic Neuroscience, with multiple insightful subcomponents – which is the organizational framework for Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience, including this 4th Edition. He has spent his entire professional life pursuing and refining this framework, now expanding it to new components for the 4th Edition. Dr. Felten expresses that it is an honor to preserve and expand the organization and insights of this wonderful mentor, scientist, and teacher.
His career has included a significant research presence at Indiana University School of Medicine (Professor), University of Rochester School of Medicine (Professor, then Chair and Endowed Chair, and Director of the Markey Charitable Trust Institute), Seton Hall University (Dean of Graduate Medical Education), and William Beaumont Health System (Vice President for Research, Medical Director of the Research Institute, Founding Associate Dean for Research at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine). His research career has centered around the discovery of bidirectional direct connections between the nervous system and the immune system, resulting in a leadership role in establishing the new and exciting field of neural-immune communication (brain, behavior, and immunity). This has led to over 200 peer-reviewed publications, extensive national and international invitations as organizer or keynote speaker at symposia and research societies, and many research awards.
Dr. Felten was awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Prize Fellowship (labeled “genius award” by the press), two simultaneous MERIT Awards by NIH (National Institute of Aging, National Institute of Mental Health), many other federal grants and foundation grants, two nominations for a Lasker Prize (with Robert Ader, Ph.D., submitted by George Engels, M.D.), many research fellowships, and a Robert Wood Johnson Teaching Scholar Award. He organized, directed, and taught medical neurosciences courses for decades, and helped to develop the clinical correlations components of the University of Rochester School of Medicine double helix curriculum. This has led to many teaching awards. However, he considers the opportunity to author and revise Netter’s Atlas of Neuroscience the greatest honor of his career.
Fitzgerald’s Clinical Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience, 8th Edition
By Estomih Mtui, MD, Gregory Gruener, MD, MBA and Peter Dockery, BSc, PhD
ISBN: 9780702079092
Pub Date: December 4th, 2020
Reviewed By: Lesley Knight Gilmer, Ph.D. Neurotrauma Research U.K (University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Description
This book covers clinically relevant topics surrounding neuroanatomy and neuroscience. It attempts to have a clear, concise, and stripped-down explanation of all major topics covered in a typical medical-level neuroanatomy/neuroscience course and for the vast majority of topics succeeds at this goal. The chapters stay out of the “weeds” and lay out a clear, readable explanation of topics. The shorter chapters decrease the neurophobia students may experience tackling lengthy chapters presented in some textbooks. The student resources with cases and multiple-choice questions are better than I have previously seen elsewhere. This is a now a contender for my upcoming neuroanatomy courses due to the layout, topics covered, images, and resources for students and educators. It is a great textbook. The seventh edition was completed in 2016.
Purpose
The book’s purpose for a new edition is to increase readability and relevance while tackling some specific alterations to certain topics throughout the textbook. I looked for specific challenging concepts throughout the book and I did find the reading of that material clear and concise. Ascending and descending tracts are easy to follow looking at the diagrams. The brainstem is extremely nice to look at the cross sections in color – this chapter is wonderful. I thought the basal ganglia was clear to read with nice diagrams. I would have liked to see the circuit diagrams for spinocerebellar, cerebrocerebellar, and vestibulocerebellar tracts. The visual system was well laid out in terms of information and diagrams. The online and print format of the book is a great option to pick and choose, which suits your needs better. The questions are a very strong selling point for students. It would be nice to have them broken up by chapters or topics. I didn’t see a way to search for topic-based questions. The book and website meet the objectives.
Audience
I believe the book is written for students first and residents second as a review to transition into the clinic. It is not intended for clinicians but could be used as a resource by clinicians guiding medical students and residents. There is something for all three groups based on the authors’ and my opinion. The book does meet the needs of its intended audience and the authors are credible authorities on the subject. They are recognized experts based on credentials and publications.
Features
The book uses short titles for clear, definable learning objectives. This shortens the chapters’ scope so readers can begin assembling the necessary building blocks for a broad neuroscience and neuroanatomy background. The cases are a great learning tool to make sure readers are capturing the broader picture and able to translate basic neuroscience and neuroanatomy into clinical understanding and reasoning. The pictures are simple, well labeled, and not too busy on trying to name countless structures. Clinical panels help with applying the knowledge along the way while building a foundation. I was able to find useful features in both the online version of the book as well as the print version. I liked the Core Information boxes for short, concise take-home messages at the ends of the chapters. I did not find any glaring gaps in content. I liked the color coordination of the tracts and labeled nuclei, but would have like to see these labeled on a human section or at least a side-by-side comparison so students can practice identification of imaging or in the laboratory. Here, the labeling is nice but overwhelming. Regarding the trigeminal nerve – I wouldn’t group both fine touch and the trigeminothalamic tract together as the trigeminal lemniscus. I would call the combined tracts as the trigeminothalamic tract perhaps, but don’t agree with how it is currently labeled (p. 236). Regarding spinocerebellar tracts and vestibulocerebellar tracts in chapter 27 – only cerebrocerebellar was depicted (p. 289).
Assessment
The diagrams are straightforward and easy to understand, but some diagrams need a more realistic feel, especially the brainstem and spinal cord sections. The field is tough, competing with the books by Blumenfeld, Nolte, and Haines, as well as Mayo Clinic Medical Neurosciences: Organized by Neurologic System and Level, 6th edition, Benarroch et al. (Oxford University Press, 2017). I like this text as a resource if students need a readable textbook, but with the lack of human sections, complete circuit diagrams for cranial nerves, central processing and peripheral, and three main cerebellar pathways, it would be hard to use over some other options. The cases are a great feature, but again, I would use patient imaging or human sections in any clinical case and explain those images with the drawn depictions. I have not used or reviewed previous editions.
© Doody’s Review Service, 2021, Lesley Knight Gilmer, Ph.D. Neurotrauma Research U.K (University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine) Review Score: 94-4 Stars!
The recent revelation by Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke, that she suffered two brain aneurysms, reminds us of how challenging and devastating they can be — and how effective our treatments have become. An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an artery wall. Like a balloon on the side of a garden hose, the bulge becomes thinner and weaker as it grows. It can become so thin that the blood pressure within can cause it to leak or burst open. This can be catastrophic, with about 15% of individuals dying from the hemorrhage before arriving at a hospital and a significant proportion of those remaining at risk of dying within 30 days or surviving with permanent disability.
Typically, individuals harboring a brain aneurysm are entirely unaware of its presence, because aneurysms rarely cause symptoms unless they hemorrhage. When they do rupture, however, they are at very high risk for recurrent hemorrhage, often in just days. Thankfully, natural history information gained over the last 20 years suggests that many unruptured aneurysms remain so and that many individuals with aneurysms die of other causes with their aneurysm, but not because of it. For this reason, clinicians are faced with the unenviable task of determining when and if to treat aneurysms in many cases. Making this critical decision requires a full understanding of this natural history risk and the potential benefits of an ever-growing list of treatment options.
While there are modifiable risks for developing or rupturing an intracranial aneurysm, such as smoking, hypertension, excessive alcohol use, or use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine, there are other risks that cannot be modified. These include female gender, certain genetic disorders of connective tissue (including polycystic kidney disease), and a family history, typically defined as 2 or more first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, children) with an aneurysm. Without a clear definition of the benefit of prophylactic treatment of aneurysms, however, routine screening may not be beneficial. Thus, the management of incidentally found aneurysms depends on factors unique to each patient as well as the treating physician’s familiarity with the treatment options. This requires knowledge of the individual patient’s medical history and life expectancy, a detailed understanding of the anatomy around the aneurysm, and a full familiarity with the tools of the trade. Technological advancements over the last several years have resulted in an explosion of treatment options. While these advances offer terrific opportunity to patients with aneurysms, they require constant learning on the part of the clinician.
Ms. Clarke’s saga of treatment for her two intracranial aneurysms teaches us much about the experience of our patients: the agonizing pain associated with the initial hemorrhage, the fear of disability that follows, the potential failures of treatment even in the best of hands, and the life-saving gift that safe and effective treatments offer. Her story has it all. Those of us intimately involved in the treatment of these frightening lesions are reminded of exactly why we chose this path. And as our field continues to evolve, we strive to produce even more of these success stories. My colleagues and friends in the Endovascular Neurosurgery Research Group (ENRG) and at Mayfield Brain & Spine have dedicated themselves to this effort and will continue to do so. I’m proud of my association with them and value their contributions to our knowledge of the development, natural history, and management of brain aneurysms.
Andrew Ringer, MD, is a neurosurgeon and chairman of Mayfield Brain & Spine. He is editor of Intracranial Aneurysms, published in 2018 by Academic Press, a reference book for neurovascular physicians.
About Intracranial Aneurysms: Intracranial aneurysm result from complex interactions between cerebrovascular anatomy, vascular injury, and adaptive remodeling of the arterial wall and represent a cerebrovascular disorder with the potential for substantial morbidity and mortality. Most intracranial aneurysms occur in the larger arteries near the skull base, in or around the circle of Willis, but variants may appear virtually anywhere in the cerebral vasculature. The aneurysm can leak or rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding, and is the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, the third most common form of stroke. Intracranial aneurysms affect about 1 in 10,000 people per year in the United States (approximately 27,000).
Intracranial Aneurysms will address the natural history, biology, and basic management principles and treatment of aneurysms. The chapters also explore the unique features of each type or location of aneurysm while considering the medical, surgical, and endovascular options. Contributions are by members of the Endovascular Neurosurgery Research Group, a group of recognized expert neurosurgeons who specialize in cerebrovascular and endovascular management of aneurysms.
Fundamental Neuroscience for Basic and Clinical Applications, 5th Edition
By Duane E. Haines, PhD, FAAAS, FAAA
ISBN: 9780323396325
Pub Date: 13 Oct 2017
Reviewed by: Eduardo A De Sousa, MD, FAAN (Mercy NeuroScience Institute)
Description
This is the fifth edition of a classic book in neuroscience and an important update of the 2013 edition. The authors lead a team of 19 contributors who write with authority to detail important concepts and novel information in neuroscience. This is not a quick read, as it is a comprehensive reference, but it is well organized and the main concepts are highlighted in light blue. This edition includes an online companion website with access to a portable version through the Inkling app.
Purpose
The purpose is to bridge neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with clinical neuroscience. This is a major update from the prior edition, with new discoveries in basic neuroscience and novel correlations with clinical neurology and neurosurgery.
Audience
The main audience is medical students looking for a comprehensive neuroscience book with an introduction to clinical concepts and correlations. It is also a great reference for neuroscience faculty, neurology and neurosurgery trainees, and practicing physicians.
Features
Covering basic neuroscience concepts, this book explains how neuroanatomy and neurophysiology correlate in clinical scenarios. It provides broad coverage with detailed information on this massive topic. The book is organized into three sections — essential concepts, regional neurobiology, and systems neurobiology. References for additional reading are not in the print book, but instead available at the website.
Assessment
This is one of the best neuroscience books available, probably one of the three best currently. It also has online resources available for free and easily accessible from a smart phone or personal computer. It is highly recommended.
Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 97 – 5 Stars!
