Book reviews 443

I I 120-130 llO-1!20 100-110 <loo

Fig. 32. Location of cortical regions showing a marked increase in blood flow during the execution of simple auto- matic speech tests. The superofrontal magnopyramidal region shows a particularly high blood flow, but also the inferofrontal magnopyramidal region and the temporal magnopyramidal region appear activated. Simplified and

redrawn from Larsen et al. (1978). From Architectonics of Human Telencephalic Cortex.

Advances in Anatomy Embryology and Cell Biology. Olivo- cerebellar Projection: A Review-edited by ALF BRODAL and KOKI KAWAMURA. 140 pp. 1980. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. USS46.10, DM78

This review summarizes much of the recent information from anterograde and retrograde axonal transport tech- niques linked with classical anatomical methods, concern- ing the anatomy of the inferior olive and the nature of the olivo cerebellar projections. In all mammals the inferior olive can be subdivided into minor divisions. There are variations within the subdivisions concerning dendritic arborizations of neurones, types of terminations of afferent axons, synaptic arrangements. histochemistry etc. The authors warn that though these differences suggest that the minor olivary subdivisions differ functionally, they do not justify drawing generalized conclusions about the mode of working of the olive.

The authors stress the importance of projections using tritiated amino acids injected into the inferior olive. This method has the advantage that fibres passing through the olive but which do not originate there, are not labelled, The projections from the olive to the different parts of the cerebellum are described in detail. The inferior olive is apparently the only source of cerebellar climbing fibres and these fibres are distributed over the entire cerebellar cortex. This indicates that the inferior olive must play a special role in the somatomotor, visceral, visual, etc, functions of the cerebellum. Most afferent contingents terminate in more than one olivary region and accordingly may influence cerebellar activity in several zones.

The volume provides a good detailed summary of the present anatomical knowledge.

The ‘Low T3 Syndrome’. Proceedings of the Serono Sym- posia Volume 4%edited by R.-D. HESCH. 263 pp. 1981. Academic Press, London. f16.40, US%39.50

Since the early observations of Pitt-Rivers concerning the greater potency of triiodothyronine (T3) compared with that of thyroxine (T4) and the subsequent demonstration that a considerable proportion of plasma T3 is derived from T4 by peripheral deiodination it has gradually become clear that the interactions and regulation of thy- roid hormones are considerably more complicated than they were first thought to be. T4 is now known to be converted to T3 and reverse T3 in the tissues. This peri- pheral conversion forms a major site for the regulation of thyroid function. The balance between the two pathways varies from tissue to tissue and from species to species as well as being influenced considerably by endocrine and metabolic factors and by various different classes of drug. As a result the measurement of the plasma concentration of one or two of the hormones gives little indication of total thyroid function. For example the negative feedback control of TSH secretion depends upon the extent of pitui- tary T3 receptor occupancy and this pituitary T3 derives largely from plasma T4 by local deiodination. It is now realised that the pituitary deiodinating mechanisms have widely different properties from those of the liver which is the probable source of much of the plasma T3.

The contributions in this volume, despite the rather re- strictive title, range widely over the whole field of peri- pheral thyroid hormone metabolism and its control, con- sidering not only the biochemistry of the interconversions but also the biological actions of the different hormones, their effects in different tissues and the ways in which their various rates of production and metabolism change in dis- eased states and with age. As with many conference pro- ceedings the standards of content and style vary consider- ably from chapter to chapter but the presentation is always clear and the typographical errors are few. The general effect is to convey how complex this new and rapidly grow- ing field has become. The casual reader will easily become confused by the many contradictions, both real and appar- ent, which litter the text but the more robust reader, or one who is more familiar with the field, will ftnd much which is new and stimulating.

Adrenergic Activators and Inhibitors. Two volumes--edited by L. SZEKERES. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 54: Part 1. 1210 pages DM480 USS283.20 1980 Part 2. 842 pages. DM380 USOl79.40 1981. SpringerrVer- lag. Berlin

In 1972 the volume on Catecholamines edited by Blaschko and Muscholl appeared as Volume 33 of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Over the past decade con- siderable advances have been made in our understanding of the adrenergic systems and most of these ideas and dis- coveries are described in the present two volumes. The reader will get a good idea of the scope and high level of the work from the chapter headings and the authors of each chapter.

Part 1 (Volume I) Section I: General Considerations. 1. Chemistry of x- and /?-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. D. K. Phillips. 2. Sympathomimetic amine-induced responses of effector organs subserved by a-, PI- and P,-adrenoceptors. 3. Evaluation of adrenergic G(- and P-receptor activators and adrenergic a- and p-receptor blocking agents. P. N. Patil and R. R. Ruffolo, Jr. 4. Evaluation of agents that release or modify release of adrenergic transmitter. J. M. Arm- strong and A. F. Green. 5. Catecholamine receptors on

444 Book reviews

nerve terminals. M. J. Rand, M. W. McCulloch and D. F. Story. 6. Adrenergic agents, calcium ions and cyclic nucleo- tides in the control of cell proliferation. J. F. Whitfield. 7. Effects on the metabolism. S. Ellis.

Section II: Effects on the Autonomic Central Nervous System. (A) Presynaptic receptors in the autonomic ner- vous system. J. S. Gillespie. (B) Adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the CNS. A. Philippu. 1. Regulation of mono- amine synthesis and utilization by receptors. N.-E. Anden. 2. Interactions of opiates and endorphins with cerebral catecholamines. J. Blasig and A. Herz. 3. Behavioural phar- macology reflecting catecholamine neurotransmission. U. Ungerstedt. 4. Regulation of the arterial blood pressure. A. Philippu. 5. Catecholamines and the regulation of body temperature. R. D. Myers. 6. Regulation of food intake. J. F. Marshall. 7. Regulation of water intake. D. K. Meyer & G. Herting.

Section III: Effects on the Cardiovascular System. I. Effect of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the electri- cal activity of the heart. L. Szekeres and J. Gy. Papp. 2. Effects of /I- and a-adrenoceptor and adrenergic trans- mitter releasing agents on the mechanical activity of the heart. H. Scholz. 3. Effects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the coronary circulation, J. R. Parratt. 4. Effects on myocardial metabolism. L. WillSahab and E. G. Krause. 5. Effects on the general hemodynamics and peri- pheral circulation. H. Vapaatalo and P. Saynavalammi.

Index.

Part 2 (Volume 2) Section IV: Effects on Organ Systems Other Than the

Nervous and the Cardiovascular System. 1. Systemic phar-

macology of adrenergic activators and inhibitors: effects on the respiratory system. D. M. Aviado and M. S. Micozzi. 2. Effects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the skel- etal muscles. W. C. Brown. 3. Systemic pharmacology of adrenergic agonists and antagonists. Effects on the diges- tive system. G. Burnstock and H. Wong. 4. Effects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the endocrine sys- tem. D. E. Potter. 5. Systemic pharmacology of adrenergic activators and inhibitors: effects on the genital system. M. Sas and L. Kovacs. 6. Etfects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on kidney function. H. Osswald and J. Greven. 7. Effects of the adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the urinary tract. J. Hannappel. 8. Miscellaneous effects: effects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the eye. A. Kahan. 9. Effects of adrenergic activators and inhibitors on the sweat glands. D. Robertshaw.

Section V: Kinetics, Biotransformation, Toxic Effects and Clinical Implications, 1. Kinetics and biotransforma- tion of adrenergic activators and inhibitors: adrenergic a- and B-receptor activators. K. H. Rahn. 2. Kinetics and bio- transformation of adrenergic activators and inhibitors: adrenergic transmitter releasing agents. H. A. J. Struyker- Boudier. 3. Kinetics and biotransformation of adrenergic inhibitors. 4. Toxic effects of adrenergic nerve-end inhibi- tors, neutral transmitter depleting agents and false trans- mitter. P. Juul. 5. Clinical features of adrenergic agonists and antagonists. B. N. C. Prichard, C. W. I. Owens and J.

Tuckman. Index. Most readers are familiar with this series and they will

not be disappointed by the present two volumes. The excel- lent high standard is maintained and the editor is to be congratulated on having such a fine group of contributors.