Hodder Arnold (a division of Hachette UK) has recently published the third edition of the Textbook of Clinical Neuropsychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience This new edition is not a mere reprint and includes an entirely new chapter devoted to additional clinical topics and an impressive update to the references, citing the latest studies. The authors' mastery in neuroscience and teaching is seen in every chapter of this exceptional work. Furthermore, the volume incorporates the option to download the book on to your personal laptop (and share it with other computers) as well as a Kindle version. The electronic option allows a rapid finding of key terms, live links and the possibility of personalizing your own copy.
As a whole, the book is accessible and enjoyable, finding citations to Lord Brain and Kraepelin or delicious expressions such as ‘there has been much ink spilt on …’. This, combined with the authors’ strong history of practice becomes perceptible in phrases such as ‘it has been the authors experience …’ (p. 69). Indeed, one of the finest parts of the book is a description of the medical doctor's duty (i.e. clinical history compilation) as an art.
Regarding the content, the book begins with an entirely new section on ‘Neuroscience fundamentals’ (60 pages) which provides an overview of CNS development, anatomy, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, genetics, psychoneuroendocrinology and immunology. Indubitably, the reminding of brain development, functions and related processes becomes essential to understanding signs, symptoms and syndromes. This is precisely one of the strengths of the book, with many concepts treated in profound detail (e.g. temporal lobe) and helpful schemes, text boxes and tables.
The second part of the book is dedicated to diagnostic assessment, reviewing the evaluation of clinical symptoms and assessing techniques in neuropsychiatry. Interestingly, it includes 11 pages on electroencephalography. Although this technique does not appear in many neuroscience textbooks, it strongly deserves the space within this one. As the authors elegantly state, it is indeed a real art to correctly interpret EEGs: ‘[EEG use] take some preparation’. This is another of the strongest points in the book.
The third part of the book provides an extended listing of clinical signs, symptoms and syndromes gathered by type and group, together with the fourth part that covers specific disorders. The last part covers most of the topics reviewed in the Introduction, including neurodegenerative, vascular, congenital, nutritional, infectious, endocrinology, immune related, psychiatric and substance abuse related disorders. It is here that the most fruitful and exciting aspect of the book really begins: practical advice on reading scientific papers (p. 175), anecdotes from the neurological history that surely will help with understanding and remembering particular clinical conditions such as ‘foreign accent symptoms’ described during the Second World War (p. 185), practical examples, e.g. when examining postural stability symptom, how to prevent the double fall of patient and practitioner (p. 143) and many details on differential diagnoses (i.e. attentional deficit hyperactivity disorder description) are provided. In addition, a more complete range of diseases with respect to previous editions is included, such as chronic fatigue conditions, personality, dissociative and impulse control disorders.
Having said that Dr David P. Moore and Professor Basant K. Puri have compiled a masterpiece, it would be a help to consider some minor suggestions for future editions. Page limit permitting, it could be interesting to discuss the presence of non-motor symptoms in movement disorders (i.e. cognitive impairments in Parkinson´s disease or multiple sclerosis). There is a repetition of concepts: cortical symptoms are described in part II (mental status examination) and in part III; and a full description of Holmes tremor appears on two consecutive pages. However, it is true that a certain level of overlap between many symptoms and syndromes is likely.
In summary, the exceptional content of the Textbook of Clinical Neuropsychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience makes the reader willing to explore further in the field, it is quite accessible for a broad public (student, teachers, practitioners), and overwhelmingly useful for experienced clinicians who will benefit from a detailed, clever and refreshing volume.
