Mitochondria and muscular diseases. Edited by H. F. M. Busch H. R. Scholte and F. G. I. Jennekens Mefar B.V

Reviews
Central Nervous System Mechanisms i n Hypertension
(Perspectives in Cardiovascular Research, Vol 6 )
Edited by Joseph P. Buckley and Carlos M . Ferrario
Raven Press, New York, 1981
432 pp, illustrated, $38.50
The editors of this well-presented volume promise that it
will provide a historical insight into pioneering work linking the central nervous system to the pathogenesis of
hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The 34 chapters,
based on contributions to a symposium held in Houston in
May, 1980, certainly include descriptions of pioneering
work. There are reports on the centrally mediated cardiovascular actions of L-glutamate, GABA, the biogenic
amines, clonidine, the opiates, and the central reninangiotensin system. The material on the biogenic amines
includes several chapters devoted to receptor subtypes.
Other contributions deal with the possible cardiovascular
function of specific brainstem areas, including the area
postrema.
Unfortunately, the book includes several chapters which
fail to focus on a particular problem. This is true of the
contribution from Fuxe and his colleagues. Their chapter,
the longest in the book, like Stephen Leacock’s horseman
rides off in all directions at once. Palkovits’s chapter attempts to review the whole field of central nervous system
blood pressure regulation. This is not practicable, as the
author demonstrates.
Most of the remaining contributions are well-organized
presentations of current research. Kalia’s chapter elegantly
demonstrates how neuroanatomical tracing procedures
have helped to define the medullary projections of primary
baroreceptor and chemoreceptor afferent fibers. Perhaps
the conference should have included more neuroanatomy
since many of the “cardiovascular” C N S pathways are currently being studied with axonal tracing procedures. Many
readers might also have appreciated a critical discussion of
strategies in CNS-hypertension research. Years ago, in
RefEexogenic Areas of the CardiovascularSystem, Heymans and
Neil agreed that stimulation of the central end of the cut
vagus nerve should be a “punishable offense,” thereby emphasizing the heterogeneity of the fiber population in this
structure. In the same vein, one may wonder at the wisdom
of administering various substances into the cerebrospinal
fluid without investigating which particular CNS pathways
are being affected.
I t is certainly not obvious that any single chapter, o r even
a synthesis of several, explains why humans develop essential hypertension. Time will test the editor’s promise.
Meanwhile, the book should be of value to researchers
working in the field. Let us hope that more general patterns
have emerged by the time contributions are sought for a
new edition.
W . W . Blessing, M D , PhD
New York, N Y
320
The Neurology of Developmental Disabilities
Edited by Francis Benedict Buda
Charles C Thomas, SpringFeld, IL,I98 I
Illustrated, $2 7.5 0
This book covers a wide range of topics in neurology but
offers little detail on any. Chapters on developmental disabilities mention little in a way that is new. The book is
more appropriate for the paraprofessional than for the
neurologist or pediatrician.
Ruth Nass, M D
New York. N Y
Progress i n Perinatd Neurology, VoI 1
Edited by Rowena Korhkin and ChriJ-tian Guilleminault
The Williams 6 Wilkins Company, Baltimore, 1981
233 pp, illustrated
This short volume, the first in a series, provides a comprehensive, current summary of intrapartum fetal
monitoring, neonatal EEG and evoked potentials, neonatal
C T scanning, viral infections and the developing nervous
system, congenital hemiplegia, and congenital central
hypoventilation. A chapter is devoted to each of these topics and is written by an expert who generally presents an
overview. There is some variation in depth of discussion
and quality of reference lists. The chapters on EEG and
evoked potentials provide excellent summaries of the subject. This book is good as an introduction, and is recommended since it provides a foundation in these topics.
Theresa M . Voorhies, M D
New York, N Y
Mitochondria and Muscular Diseases
Edited by H . F . M . Bwch, N.R. Scholte,
and F . G. 1.Jennekens
Mefar B.V., Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands, 1982
23 3 pp, illus t rated
This monograph deals with the form and function of
skeletal muscle mitochondria in human beings in health
and disease. The first section reviews the normal structure
and function of muscle mitochondria. The second covers
the mechanism of loose coupling, transport processes,
biosynthesis, and other experimental investigations of
mitochondrial form and function. The third section examines morphological and biochemical changes of mitochondria and their specificity in human neuromuscular diseases.
T h e last section deals with studies of already well known
and newly recognized mitochondrial myopathies and encephalomyopathies. The book will be of interest to
neurologists, pediatricians, and others involved in the diagnosis and care of patients with neuromusculaf diseases. It
will also serve as a useful reference for scientists with more
basic interest in the structure and function of skeletal muscle mitochondria.
John J . Caronna, MI1
New York, N Y