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242 Book reviews

Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counselling.By R. J. M. G ARD NER and G. R. SUTHERLAND . Ox-ford Monographs in Medical Genetics No. 17.Oxford University Press. 1989. 255 pages. 24.00.ISBN 0 19 504932 2.

Over the last 30 years cytogenetics has played acardinal role in genetic counselling. The technologyhas established the cause of many congenital ab-normalities and has provided the means of diagnosingsuch disorders in utero. Down's syndrome and thefragile X syndrome still remain the most frequentindications for these studies, but the recent intro-duction of various staining and banding techniqueshas increased the range of conditions in whichmicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities can be dem-onstrated. The latter now includes, for example,several so-called ' microdeletion' syndromes (retino-blastoma, aniridia-Wilms complex, Prader-Willi syn-drome, etc.). This book is addressed primarily togenetic counsellors: those who have to explain andinterpret a chromosomal problem to the individual orfamily in whom it has occurred. Though at pains toexplain the theoretical basis of such abnormalities, theauthors present an essentially practical approach.Both are internationally recognized experts in thefield, and they therefore write with authority. Suther-land in fact was responsible for 'rediscovering' thefragile X in the late 1970s, the original observation ofLubs in 1969 remaining unconfirmed for several years.

The text is divided into 5 sections: basic concepts,the parent with a chromosomal abnormality, normalparents with a chromosomally abnormal child, re-productive failure, and finally prenatal diagnosis. Agreat deal of useful information is summarized intabular form and the text is neatly divided intorelevant sections. There is a very extensive bib-liography.I would recommend this book unreservedly toanyone involved in counselling and managing a familywith a chromosomal abnormality as being bothscholarly and practical.

ALAN EMERYMedical School,University of Edinburgh

Genetics of Neuropsychiatric Diseases. Edited by L.WETTERBERG. Lo ndo n: Macmillan Press. 1989. 363pages. 50.00. ISBN 0 935859 65 9.

After the flurry of activity over the last few years intomapping and isolating gene loci for rare geneticdiseases, the attention of molecular biologists is nowbeginning to turn to comm on disorders. The problemsare more intractable, not least that of identifying' candidate' genes, but the rewards are greater. This isnowhere more evident that in the case of the commonneuropsychiatric disorders. The current text, whichrepresents the edited proceedings of an international

meeting held in Sweden in 1988, addresses recentresearch developments into this group of diseases.It is divided into four section: research methods,research models, genetic studies specifically in neuro-psychiatric disorders and possibilities for futureresearch. Particularly valuable in the first section aresummary tables of the locations of gene loci forimportant neuroreceptors and peptides, and outlinesof the technologies used in molecular studies (DNAmethods and linkage analysis). The applications ofthese techniques are illustrated in several well-researched disorders: phenylketonuria, the fragile Xsyndrome, and H untington's chorea. However, to methe most fascinating discussions in the book centre onTourette syndrome, affective disorders, schizophrenia,Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy and alcoholism.Tourette syndrome is a bizarre condition charac-terized by tics and a wide range of compulsivebehaviour including grunting and obscene outbursts.It is inherited as an autosomal semi-dominant traitwhich affects perhaps as many as 1 in 200 children.Blood serotonin and tryptophan levels are low, butthe basic biochemical defeat is unknown and theresponsible gene has not yet been identified. Clearlyan understanding of the molecular pathology of thedisorder might well throw light on our understandingof related behaviour patterns in otherwise normalindividuals.Gene loci for bipolar affective disorders (on the Xchromosome and chromosome 11) and schizophrenia(on chromosome 5) have been identified in some rareaffected families but not in others. Perhaps this is areflection of genetic heterogeneity. Alzheimer's diseasealso now seems to be heterogeneous, with linkage tomarkers on chromosome 21 only being evident insome families.Narcolepsy is a rare autosomal dominant disordercharacterized by a periodic uncontrollable tendencyto fall asleep. The cause is unknown, but almost allaffected individuals type as HL A DR 2, which must beof pathogenetic significance but in what way remainsa mystery. Again our understanding of this raredisorder might help us understand more of normalbehaviour.Finally a detailed and critical review of family, twinand adoption studies clearly indicates that alcoholismis familial: ' a significant p rop ort ion of which can beattributed to genetic factors'. But the nature of thesefactors is still unknown. They may reside in individualvariations in the metabolism of alcohol (alcoholdehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase) orin the effects of alcohol on the brain. However, incontrast to nicotine, opiates and catecholamines, nospecific alcohol receptor has so far been found in thecentral nervous system.It has been estimated that possibly 10% of our100000 or so genes may be specific to the brain. Theiridentification and characterization is a mammothtask, but this text clearly indicates that a start has

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Book reviews 243been made . Perhaps n ot before too long we shall beginto understand the molecular basis not only ofneuropsychiatric disorders but also of normal be-haviour. A truly exciting and challenging goal.

ALAN EMERYMedical School,University of Edinburgh

Molecular Evolutionary Genetics. By MASATOSHI NEI .New York: Columbia University Press. 1989. Paper$34.00. ISBN 0 231 063210 .This is a softcover reprint of the original 1987 edition,whose cheaper price may well tempt the reader or

librarian. The hardcover edition was reviewed inGenetical Research 52, 74-75 (1988).

Antibodies: A Laboratory M anual. By E D H A R L O Wan d D A V I D L A N E . Cold Spring Harbor: Cold SpringHarbour Laboratory. New York 1988. 726 pages.Paper $50.00 ISBN 0 87969 314 2.

This book was reviewed in Genetical Research 1989,54 , p. 161. We wish to point out th at the boo k waswritten by Ed Harlow and David Lane and not simplyedited by these authors, as stated in the above review.

THE EDITORS