Schizophrenia : From Mind to Molecule

From The Critics

Reviewer: Howard M. Kravitz, DO, MPH(Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This new addition to the American Psychopathological Association series presents a recent review of current scientific thinking in schizophrenia from the perspective of a cadre of the leading researchers in the field.
Purpose: The purpose is to present a thorough look at changes in the scientific understanding and outlook of schizophrenia, including neurobehavioral studies, traditional and emerging technologies, psychosocial and medical treatments, and future research opportunities.
Audience: This book is written primarily for general psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists. It can be read and digested easily by clinicians. The authors of the various chapters include noted schizophrenia researchers and neuroscientists, and they present the pertinent literature and their ongoing work both comprehensively and comprehensibly.
Features: The text is well written and edited. However, there are a few shortcomings. Most references (and studies listed in the tables) do not go beyond 1990; I would expect a more recent literature review in a 1994 publication, especially in a book that is purported to present a review of current thinking. Also, more radiographs could have been included in the brain imaging sections.
Assessment: This is a very readable comprehensive update and review of the current understanding and outlook regarding schizophrenia, presented by expert investigators in the field. Biological, psychological, social, and humanistic perspectives are given fairly even coverage. The clinician who wants to update his or her knowledge about schizophrenia will find this relatively inexpensive book easy to read cover to cover in a weekend and worth the time invested. Bookstores should stock the book for the interested clinician. Medical libraries may be less disposed toward purchasing a copy because books of this genre may become outdated with the next wave of published research results.

Howard M. Kravitz

This new addition to the American Psychopathological Association series presents a recent review of current scientific thinking in schizophrenia from the perspective of a cadre of the leading researchers in the field. The purpose is to present a thorough look at changes in the scientific understanding and outlook of schizophrenia, including neurobehavioral studies, traditional and emerging technologies, psychosocial and medical treatments, and future research opportunities. This book is written primarily for general psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists. It can be read and digested easily by clinicians. The authors of the various chapters include noted schizophrenia researchers and neuroscientists, and they present the pertinent literature and their ongoing work both comprehensively and comprehensibly. The text is well written and edited. However, there are a few shortcomings. Most references (and studies listed in the tables) do not go beyond 1990; I would expect a more recent literature review in a 1994 publication, especially in a book that is purported to present a review of current thinking. Also, more radiographs could have been included in the brain imaging sections. This is a very readable comprehensive update and review of the current understanding and outlook regarding schizophrenia, presented by expert investigators in the field. Biological, psychological, social, and humanistic perspectives are given fairly even coverage. The clinician who wants to update his or her knowledge about schizophrenia will find this relatively inexpensive book easy to read cover to cover in a weekend and worth the time invested. Bookstores should stock the book for the interested clinician. Medicallibraries may be less disposed toward purchasing a copy because books of this genre may become outdated with the next wave of published research results.

Booknews

Following from the unequivocal knowledge that schizophrenia is a brain disorder, this volume provides a thorough examination of schizophrenia that includes neurobehavioral studies, traditional and emerging technologies, psychosocial and medical treatments, and future research opportunities. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

4 Stars! from Doody