382 Book Reviews

printing date; thus, for example, the book only provides a cursory discussion of current developments in functional imaging and pharmacotherapy with antipsychotics, and the references include only a few citations of literature published during or since 1995. Furthermore it appears difficult to understand why a publication striving to present most recent research approaches will, at times, still fall back on the totally outdated ICD-9 classification system.

Against the background of the aforementioned pros and cons this book offers the reader quick insight into the current discussion on neurobiological approaches in the field of psychiatry; unfortunately, as it appears to this reviewer, for an inappropriately high price. Despite its limitation, it can be recommended to anyone, including laypersons, wishing to gather basic knowledge on the current state of research while at the same time offering clinicians valuable suggestions and support through its presentation of therapeutic problems and their solutions.

Isabella Heuser Central Institute of Mental Health

Mannheim, Germany

Cytokines and Cytokine Receptors. By A. S. Hamblin. IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993, ISBN 0-19-963388-6, 90 pp.

Cytokines are communication molecules which play a pivotal role in the local and systemic components of the host response to infection and inflammation. Experimental and clinical studies on cytokines have literally exploded during the last decade. These molecules have become of interest not only to immunologists but also to neuroendocrinologists and neurobiologists. In this short textbook, A. S. Hamblin summarizes the basic knowledge on the structure and functions of cytokines and their receptors, their role in the activation of immune cells, hematopoiesis, inflammation and pathology, and their use as therapeutic agents. Techniques which are used to characterize cytokines and their receptors are not forgotten. The text is very well illustrated and easy to read. The small format of this textbook makes it ideal for quick consultation. It should be of substantive interest not only to students but also to qualified researchers in neuroscience and endocrinology, who want to keep abreast of the developments in the effects of cytokines on brain functions and endocrine activities.

Immunological Alterations in Psychiatric Diseases, Advances in Biological Psychiatry, vol. 18. Edited by A. E. Hennenberg and W. P. Kaschka. Karger Press, Basel, 1997, ISBN 3- 8055-6384-1, 117 pp.

The suggestion that immunological alterations associated with viral infection or autoimmunity play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has been around for a few decades. Epidemiological evidence for a possible role of viruses is supported by the observation that the incidence of schizophrenia is higher in individuals who have been exposed to viral infection during development. Laboratory studies indicate that some