Williams and Haughton present a well-produced compen- dium of CT findings in a variety of disorders. Written mostly by the senior author, the text is comprehensive and the illus- trations achieve a high quality.

Fred Plum, MD New York, NY

Recent Volumes on Seizure Disorders Epilepsy in Children (International Review of Child Neurology Series) By J . Aicardi New York, Raven, 1986 425 pp, illustrated, $67.50

Seizure Disorders in Children Edited by P . C. Ferry, W . Banner, Jr, and R. A . Wo,f Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1985 270 pp, illustrated, $29.50

Recent Advances in Epilepsy, Vol 3 Edited by 7. A . Pedlty and B. S . Meldrum New York, Livingstone, 1986 31 5 pp, illustrated, $62.00

The Epilepsies-BIMR Neurology, Vol 5 Edited by R. J . Porter and P . L. Morselli Stoneham, Butterworth, I985 3 96 pp, illustrated, $3 9.95

These four books approach their subject in different ways. The monographs by Aicardi and Ferry et al are primarily clinically oriented, comprehensive from the standpoint of their subject, and written for the clinician, whether pediatri- cian, generalist, or neurologist. Pedley and Porter, on the other hand, are more concerned with the recent advances in basic science as they apply to the clinical problem.

Aicardi’s book, as one might expect, is a masterpiece that provides a clearly expressed, thoughtful, comprehensive, well-referenced, and informative overview of a subject in which he stands at the top of world authorities. The bibliog- raphy of 1,573 titles alone is worth the price of purchase. The volume should be on the shelf of every physician and neurologist caring for epileptic patients, and we predict that it will be often consulted.

The Ferry book is shorter, simpler, and more directly ad- dressed to the family practitioner. Helpful items include color pictures of the various available anticonvulsant drugs, tables of the locations of American Poison Control Centers, patient information sheets, and practical guides that suggest how to discuss things with the patients and their parents, including audiovisual aids to help parents understand the problem. The book should find its greatest use among gen- eral practitioners and pediatricians, but will be valuable for anyone engaged in the treatment of epileptic children.

We have commented in an earlier review that Pedley and Meldrum’s “Recent Advances” series represents the best comprehensive information for the neurologist interested in epilepsy. The present volume maintains the tradition with 14 up-to-date chapters, and again, earns our shortest review: buy it.

Somewhat in the same format as Pedley, Drs Porter and Morselli have put together 17 informative chapters on vari- ous topics with a strong basis in mechanistic explanation. The material here is perhaps somewhat less “state of the art,” but is thoughtful and well presented.

Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies: Molecular and Cellular Approaches (Advances in Neurology, Vol44) Edited bj A. V. Delgado-Escueta, A . A . Ward, D. M. Woodbury, and R. J . Porter New York, Raven, 1986 1,000 pp, illustrated, $98.50

In 1969, a volume entitled “Basic Mechanisms of the Epilep- sies’’ appeared, and has since served as the benchmark for scientific research in the field. This tome brings together material presented at two conferences in 1982 and 1783, and reflects the leading edge in fundamental neuroscience as it applies to seizure disorders (at least as expressed at that time). Chapters include a thoughtful and detailed introduc- tory “New Wave of Research” chapter by the editors, fol- lowed by sections entitled: Biochemical Genetics, Epilep- togenesis, Spread and Arrest of Seizures, Neurocellular Anatomy and Cell Damage, and Basic Mechanisms in Man. The publisher has done an outstanding job in both printing and illustration, and the volume deserves high praise in every dimension. For those interested in the neuroscience of neuronal excitability; the central balance between excitation, inhibition, and potentials for treatment; and, above all, where the field is going, Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies provides an outstanding source book.

Fred Plum, MD New York, NY

Symposia Proceedings Received Acute Brain Ischemia: Medical and Surgical Therapy Serono Symposia Publications from Raven Press- Vol 32 Edited by N . Battistine, P . Fiorani, R. Courdier, F. Plum, and C. Fieschi New York, Raven, I986 384 pp, illustrated, $46.5 0

Advance in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol9 Edited bj H . L. Field, R. Dubner, and F . Cewero New York, Raven Press, 1985 923 pp, illustrated

Annals of Neurology Vol 22 N o 5 November 1787 671