BOOK REVIFWS 753

Genetically Defined Animal Models of Neurobebavioral Dysfunctions, Edited by PETLK DKIS(.OLL. Birkhiuser, Boston, 1992.

ALTHOUGH only a small selection of the contributions to this volume may normally attract the attention of ncuropsychologists, the editor has assembled a fascinating collection of chapters covering animal genetic models- present and future-of neurological dysfunctions, ranging from models of aggression and violence to Krabbe disease or global cell leukodystrophy (a veritable abyss of ignorance for this reader hitherto). The volume will particularly appeal to those with direct interests in the behavioural genetics of neurological disorders. The subject matter of the book will also be of relevance for neurologists, neuropsychiatrists and neuroscientists. Topics which will attract the attention ofresearchers and clinicians in mainstream neuropsychology are, for the most part, located in the second half of the book and include sections on genetic models of epilepsy, cerebral laterality and callosal agcnesis. While several of the chapters incorporate sections referring to the cognitive and behavioural literatures, neuropsychology is largely covered en passant.

The tone of the book is set by the editor’s introduction, which also serves as an overview of the chapters which follow. Although the editor quotes from a passage written by Comings emphasizing the importance of the public perception of genetic research, there is minimal reference to the potential social and political ramifications of research in this field. This is somewhat surprising given current controversies, and obvious public concerns, surrounding these issues. It is questionable whether this is an appropriate domain for a scientist to comment upon at length. However, there is a moral requirement for the scientific community at least to acknowledge that the question exists.

In the introduction, the editor also asserts that animal models represent “more realistic and accurate simulations of the human situation”. The second half of this comparative statement is absent. Taken at face value, this claim may be considered somewhat overstated when one notes the lack of psychological and/or bchavioural content of the text, surely crucial when considering models of the “human situation”. Indeed, one might legitimately argue. mom generally, that (psychological issues aside) it is rather early days to be making such a strong assertion, as evinced by the contents of individual chapters of the book. The potential gulf between human and non-human animals requires further discussion, incorporating. among other issues, the questions of qualitative vs quantitative differences in animal genetic models of human disorders.

The volume covers diverse areas of research. However, it may have aided the reader’s assimilation of information to organize the chapters into more or less self-contained coherent sections, including a section overview and/or a concluding passage at the end of each section, in order to provide some form of conceptual framework. Such groupings may have included separately those chapters on genetic models of addiction, inter-hemispheric relationships, affective and other psychopathological disorders, myelin-related disorders, etc. Another minor criticism concerns the somewhat stunted index. For example, although the topic of animal models of hydrocephalus is mentioned in the introduction, and references given therein, there is no entry for hydrocephalus in the subject index. An index of key researchers is also lacking.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, although mentioned in the editor’s introduction, is a surprising absentee from the text, as are Kennedy’s disease and Fragile X syndrome, given the flurry of findings over the past 5 years concerning the genetics of these disorders. More generally, there is no coverage of the phenomenon of anticipation due to triplet- repeat mutation, a focus ofconsiderable recent research interest. Given its prevalence. one might also have expected more direct coverage of schizophrenia, especially with respect to recent questions concerning possible interactions between an individual’s genetic predisposition and exposure to pathogens in the environment such as the influcnra virus. Indeed, the question of possible genetic-environmental interactions, including possible hormonal interactions in ufero, is generally somewhat neglected. There is also an apparent soupcon ofcircularity implicit in the majority of the chapters concerning the focus of the models proposed. with some authors apparently confusing the question of whether one is really seeking a genetic or a phenotypic model of the condition in question.

However. it is apparent from the pages of this intriguing book that genetic animal models, whether they be spontaneous, test-selected or, more latterly, transgenic, are becoming increasingly influential in evaluating the genetic contribution to the manifestation of neurobehavioural dysfunctions. For example, in epilepsy. there is good evidence to suggest that genetic animal models provide an avenue for exploring the multifaceted aspects of the epileptic disorders. This avenue provides the potential for a much richer analysis than is conceivable using more traditional a<tilicially-produced seizure models of epilepsy. As it becomes apparent that genetic factors are relevant in understanding a broad range of neurological disorders, ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to schizophrenia. an understanding of the relevant concepts will become important for both the clinical and research neuropsychologist. Despite some deficiencies, the wealth of material covered in this text could form an important part of the requisite knowledge base. The book may also be usefully employed in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in the neural sciences.

JONATHAN Fosrrn