The Autonomic Nervous System in Health and Disease

The Autonomic Nervous System in Health and Disease Authors: Goldstein, David S. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) , Bibliographic Data: (ISBN: 0-8247-0408-8, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001, $195.00) 10 chapters, 618 pages, hard cover. Subjects: Neurology, Cardiology, Endocrinology/Metabolic Disease Other Info: The book contains black-and-white illustrations. , Reviewed by: Daniel B Hier, MD , (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine) DESCRIPTION: This book comprehensively and definitively covers both clinical and research aspects of the autonomic nervous system. PURPOSE: The purpose is to synthesize clinical and research advances in our understanding of the autonomic nervous system into a single integrated textbook. AUDIENCE: This book will appeal to neurologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and psychiatrists who have an interest in the interactions between the autonomic nervous system, stress, and the cardiovascular system. FEATURES: This is a carefully written, exquisitely edited, and meticulously referenced comprehensive textbook on the autonomic nervous system. Topics include historical perspective, anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system, stress and the autonomic nervous system, neurocardiology, and disorders of the autonomic nervous system. The book deftly covers and integrates research advances with clinical problems. This book was clearly a labor of love for the author, and it shows in the high quality of the writing and the beautiful workmanship in assembling the diagrams, images, and references. ASSESSMENT: This is certainly one of the best, if not the best, books available on the autonomic nervous system. No physician wanting an authoritative treatise on the subject of the autonomic nervous system can go wrong with this definitive book. Of special interest is the author’s meticulous analysis of the autonomic-cardiac interactions (neurocardiology) and his scholarly discussion of the relation between stress (psychological and physical) and autonomic nervous system activity.