This is a book for true students who would appreciate more fully the interrelation and interdependence of neurophysiology and psychiatry. Consisting of papers by 20 contributors who worked directly or indirectly in the laboratory of Dr. Harold Himwich, the volume creates the impression of something solid—the papers are well presented, extensively documented; the subject material is carefully delineated, well planned, and thoughtfully executed.
This is not a publication for cursory reading. The topics cover the range of the various biogenic amines (the catecholamines and serotonin particularly) along with experimental studies of anti-parkinsonian drugs, phenylketonuria, the "energy flow of the brain," bacterial neurotoxins, cerebral circulation, and water ingestion.
The nature of this volume may best be illustrated by quoting some of the intriguing comments:
"Optimal improvement of behavior with phenothiazine therapy occurs with very slight extrapyramidal signs" (p 42).
"Intensification of psychotic behavior is associated with a rise in urinary tryptamine—while